




S&Co 



AN 

ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY 

AND 

EXPOSITOR 
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: 

CONTAINING 

THE RADICALS AND DEFINITIONS OF WORDS 

DERIVED FROM THE 

GREEK, LATIN, AND FRENCH, LANGUAGES? 

AND ALL THE GENERALLY USED 

TECHNICAL AND POLITE PHRASES, 

ADOPTED FROM 

THE FRENCH AND LATIN. 



BY WILLIAM GRIMSHAW, 

AUTHOR OF A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, HISTORY OF 
ENGLAND, &C. 



SECOND EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED AND ENLARGED. 




PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED FOR JOHN GRIGG, No. 9, N. FOURT 

L. R. BAILEY, PRINTER. 

1826. 






EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, to wit : 

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the seventeenth day 

(L. S.) of August, in the fifty-first year of the Independence of the 

United States of America, A. D. 1826, William Grimshaw, 

of the said District, hath deposited in this Office the Title of a Book, 

the right whereof he' claims as Author, in the words following-, to 

wit; 

" An Etymological Dictionary and Expositor of the English Lan- 
« guage : containing the radicals and definitions of words derived 
"from the Greek, Latin, and French, languages; and all the gene- 
" rally used technical and polite phrases, adopted from the French 
" and Latin. By William Grimshaw, author of a history of the 
•'United States, history of England, &c." 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, in- 
tituled, "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of 
such copies, during the times therein mentioned." And also to the 
Act, entitled, "An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, 'An Act 
for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, 
charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies dur- 
ing the times therein mentioned/ and extending the benefits there- 
of to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and 
other prints." 

D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



27$ 



PREFACE. 



FEW sciences are more worthy of acquirement than 
Etymology. Next to the being endowed by nature with a 
mind of acute perception, large capacity, and correct judg- 
ment, there is no more powerful aid, to philosophical in- 
quiries, than a precise understanding of the language in 
which knowledge is conveyed. If the terms of scientific 
instruction be not clearly understood by the pupil, his per- 
ceptions will at first be imperfect, and in the end abortive t 
if not fully comprehended by the teacher, his manner will 
betray his ignnranre • and, in place of developing his sub- 
ject, he will involve it ; instead of delighting, he will fatigue. 

The English language, of the present day, with the excep- 
tion of transitional and conjunctive words, is twofold. It con- 
sists of a dialect, which has emanated, without any material 
ftoange, through the Saxon, from the Gothic or Teutonic; 
and of another, derived immediately from the French, Latin, 
and Greek. The former is used by the common people, 
and by children, and, occasionally, in familiar discourse, by 
the higher classes : the latter, by the learned and polite, the 
philosopher and historian, the orator and statesman. The 
first has descended to us from the various northern tribes, 
who, in the fifth century, drove the Britains into Wales and 
Cornwall. The second, is of more recent birth. Additions 
from the French tongue, commenced in the eleventh cen- 
tury, on the accession of Edward the Confessor to the Eng- 
lish throne. This prince having been educated in Nor- 
mandy, where he had contracted many intimacies with the 
natives, as well as a partiality for their manners, the court 
of England was soon filled with Normans; who, being dis- 
tinguished by the royal favour, and a superior degree of 
urbanity, rendered not only their language, but their laws 
and customs, fashionable in the kingdom. The French 



tongue was very generally studied, and was used, in their 
different writings, by the lawyers. The subjection of the 
British people, by the Duke of Normandy, almost immedi- 
ately after the death of Edward, served still more to inter- 
mingle the continental language. William endeavoured to 
abolish the English tongue. He ordered that the youth 
should be instructed in French, that the pleadings in the 
supreme court should be in that language, the laws written 
in the same, and that no other should be spoken at the 
royal court. 

Nearly five centuries before, the Latin had been used in 
England, in the service of the Roman church ; but, as few 
of the clergy, even in the time of Alfred, (who ascended 
the throne in 871,) could interpret what they were repeat- 
ing, the English language could not then have been ren- 
dered more copious, by the introduction of Latin words. 
Its history is involved in much obscurity. Even the addi- 
tions, which had undoubtedly been made to the colloquial 
tongue, by the use of the Norman amongst the higher or- 
ders, are not easily discovered, or reduced to a certain date. 
The nobility were unlettered ; their discourse was, there- 
fore, not committed to writing; the poets composed their 
rude verses in the homely dialect of the lower classes, and 
the historians their chronicles in Latin. So recently as the 
beginning of the last century, theological disputations, as 
well as philosophical inquiries, were frequently written in 
Latin. The national tongue was not yet sufficiently digni- 
fied, nor sufficiently copious, to gratify the pride, or express 
the ideas, of the learned; nor were the readers, in any coun- 
try, numerous enough, to repay the expense of translating, 
and of printing works of that kind in their own tongue. A 
reciprocal means of communication was therefore adopted, 
which rendered the original writings of the learned, in one 
country, intelligible to those in every other. 

Each succeeding year enlarges our verbal store. Every 
new invention or discovery, every new modification or com- 
bination, requires a new word. On these occasions, the 
elementary parts are seldom drawn from the national stock. 
The scientific terms, adopted by all modern nations, are al- 
most exclusively constructed from the Greek or Latin. 
These are happily adapted to such a purpose. The ellip- 
tical form, required to express multum in fiarvo, much in 
a. small compass, would be repugnant to the mind, and un- 



pleasant to the ear, if compounded from the native tongue; 
because the ellipsis would appear too violent ; a harshness 
which is avoided by the use of foreign words. 

There is little danger (though there is some,) of mistak- 
ing the true signification of our vernacular dialect, — the 
Anglo-Saxon. That which we have been accustomed to 
do from our childhood, we will do, almost instinctively, 
right. Words, in the use of which we have had so early 
and long continued experience, will be thoroughly under- 
stood. Their various powers will be known, without a glos- 
sary. But this cannot be said, of the modern portion of our 
language. Not having been required in youth, it has been 
neglected ; and we are hurried from the society who speak 
the other, into a maturer and more refined, whose discourse 
is, in a great measure, unintelligible to us. 

Many years will elapse, before we are enlightened ; much 
arduous application will be used, much painful degradation 
suffered. Even when we conceive that we have dispelled 
the obstructing clouds, we are encompassed by a remain- 
ing mist, — by an opacity, more dangerous than complete 
darkness, because more deceitful. Without a previous 
classical education, (which is attained by few males, and 
scarcely by any females,) we are seriously perplexed : we 
know not which is the literal, which the figurative import 
of a word ; how far the -former may be extended, — within 
what bounds the latter should be confined. We have de- 
rived our knowledge from those who were either not com- 
petent, or not willing to instruct ; who have misled us 
through ignorance, or deceived us through design. We 
resemble a vessel without a pilot, which is subject to the 
variable directions of her crew, and, in tracing the wind- 
ings of the channel, is wrecked upon its banks. 

The best verbal pilot is Etymology. But, except to the 
classical scholar, this guide has hitherto been wanting. 
This is the first Etymological Dictionary that has ever ap- 
peared, of any language, founded on a minute and regular 
system of analysis. Each word is here resolved into its 
original elements. In words composed of a Preposition 
and a Verb, the appropriate meaning of the former, out of 
its multifarious significations, has been chosen, to suit its. 
particular application; and the latter 'has been displayed, 
either in its primitive shape, or the inflexion used in its 
combination. The same mode has been adopted with re- 



gard to foreign Nouns. These generally come to us through 
their genitive case, whilst the Verbs very frequently reach 
us in their participial form. 

The present tense of the indicative mood, I consider as 
the root of Greek and Latin verbs ; to which part, I have 
therefore referred, as the fountain head ; though, in accord- 
ance with academical usage, I have affixed to it the trans- 
lation of the infinitive. Thus, I write metreo, « to mea- 
sure," whilst the real meaning is " I measure;" and /ado, 
" to make," instead of "I make." I have also substituted 
the Roman Letters for the Greek, as the best suited to the 
simplicity of my design ; enabling the mere English scho- 
lar to produce the sound indicated by the Greek charac- 
ters with sufficient accuracy; whilst the radicals are, not- 
withstanding, exhibited in such a form, that a Greek scho- 
lar may easily find them in a lexicon, 

The most philosophical treatise on the derivation of 
English words, is the Erfsa nt^o«vro, or Diversions of Pur- 
ley, by Home Tooke. Had his plan embraced words de- 
rived from the learned languages, no occasion had offered 
for so inferior a philologist, as the author of the present 
work, to undertake this task. My labour would have been 
only manual. There would have been required only a ju- 
dicious selection, and alphabetical arrangement. But he 
has confined his researches, with some desultory excep- 
tions, to that portion of the language which is derived from 
the Saxon, and other barbarous dialects of the north. Se- 
veral inquiring minds had previously explored the remote 
sources of the English tongue. Junius, in the sixteenth, 
and Skinner in the seventeenth century, had exercised no 
small degree of ingenuity, in ascending the intricate wind- 
ings of the etymological stream : but their various deduc- 
tions of the same word, excite scepticism and perplexity; 
and their quaint subtleties, characteristic of the age in which 
they lived, instead of now promoting admiration, excite 
contempt. 

The dictionary of Dr. Johnson, is, by many, thought to 
combine etymology with definition. But, this opinion, if 
the work be rightly examined, will be found erroneous. 
Except in occasional instances, the foreign words are nei- 
ther analysed nor translated ; nor is the mode shown, by 
which the mind has compounded, or deduced them. A 
mere English scholar, therefore, never acquires more than 



the exchange of one sound for another ; but not always so 
much : for, as the Greek letters cannot be pronounced by 
him, they afford no intelligence, more lucid, than would be 
experienced by a Greek scholar, when staring, with stupid 
vacuity, at Arabic. He is informed, that cession is derived 
from cedo, accede, from accedo, geometry from ytco^s'/fca; 
information that confers no benefit, on the learned, or on the 
unlearned. The latter has not, by this exhibition, received 
a single new idea ; the former, none, of which he was not 
possessed before. 

The derivations have, in many instances, not been at- 
tempted by Dr.. Johnson ; and the haste in which his volu- 
minous work was compiled, has prevented a uniformity of 
system. 

A considerable number of phrases, wholly French or 
Latin, are now interspersed throughout our language. 
They have not been admitted into any English dictionary; 
yet, it is not less essential to know their meaning, than the 
signification of words that we have fully naturalized. These 
have not been excluded from the present work. There is 
no essay of the scientific,, nor interchange of sentiment 
amongst the polite, that does not require them. Every 
newspaper exhibits them : the lawyer employs them to 
elucidate his argument, the senator to adorn his oration, 
and the ambassador to unfold, in technical phraseology, the 
intention of his government. 

Much more might be adduced on this subject. But the 
author refers, for practical illustration, to the work itself. 
The design, he is little fearful, will be approved, — though 
he is less confident of the execution. A liberal critic will, 
however, make due allowance, on account of its peculiar 
difficulty, — as well from its novelty, as its intricacy; and, if 
he discerns, upon examination of the whole, that the author, 
notwithstanding some injudicious examples, possesses abi- 
lities competent to the design, he will pronounce a favour- 
able verdict, and expect that the errors of a first edition 
may be corrected in a second. 

Philadelphia, July, 26th, 1821. 



ABBREVIATIONS. 

F. French. L. Latin. G. Greek. — v. verb, *. sub- 
stantive, adj. adjective, prep,, preposition, part, participle. 
— p. part, a passive participle, sup. supine. — pos. positive, 
compar. comparative, superl. superlative. — comp. com- 
pounded. — nom. nominative, gen. genitive, dat. dative, 
accus. accusative, abl. ablative. — dim. diminutive* incep. 
or incept, inceptive. 



ABASE. For one'self, read one's-self. 

BISSEXTILE. For Kalendos Marthis, read Kalendas Martias, 



ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY. 



ABA— ABL 

ABASE, v. To lower one'self in rank ; to perform an act of self-hu- 
miliation. F. abaisser ,- comp. of d, to, and bas, low. L. ad, to, and 

basis, the lower part or base of a pillar. 
ABATE, v. To lessen; to diminish; to quash. F. abattre,- L. a, from, 

and batuo, to beat. 
ABBOT, s. The chief of a convent or fellowship of canons. From the 

Syriac word abba, father, used also in the Greek language. 
ABBREVIATE, v. To shorten. L. abbrevio ,• ab, from, and brevis, 

short. 
ABDICATE, v. To resign. L. abdico,- ab, from, and dim, to declare. 
ABDOMEN, s. The lower cavity of the body. L. abdomen ; from 

abdo, to hide. 
ABDUCE. v. To draw away. L. abduco; comp. of ab, from, and duco, 

to lead, or draw. 
ABDUCENT, adj. A term applied to those muscles which serve to 

open or pull back certain parts of the body. L. abducens, part, of 

abduco. See ABDUCE- 
ABDUCTION, s. The act of drawing away; a particular form of argu- 
ment. L. abductio. See ABDUCE. 
ABERRANCE, s. Deviation. L. aberrans, part, of aberro ,• comp. of 

ab, from, and erro, to wander. 
ABERRATION, s. Act of deviating. L. aberratio. See ABER* 

RANCE. 
ABHOR, v. To detest; to hate with acrimony. L. abhorreo; comp. of 

ab, from, and horreo, to tremble. 
ABILITY, s. Power; mental efficiency. F. habikU ; L. habilitas? 

from habee, to have. 
.rlB INITIO. From the beginning. L. ab, from, initio, abl. of ini- 

Hum, a beginning. 
ABJECT, adj. Worthless ; mean ; groveling. L. abjectus, p. part, of 

abjido, to cast out; ab, from, andjacio, to throw. 
ABJURE, v. To swear not to do, or not to have. L. abjuro; comp. 

of ab, from, andjuro, to swear. 
ABLATIVE, adj. Relating to that case in grammar, which, amongst 
B 



ABL— ABS 

other significations, includes that from which something is taken, 
L. ablativus; from ablatus, p. part, ofaufero, to take away. 

ABLE. adj. Having ability. See ABILITY. 

ABLUTION, s. The act of cleansing. L. ablutio; ab, from, and lau- 
tus, part, of lavo, to wash. 

ABOMINATE, v. To hold in religious abhorrence ; to detest, in the 
highest possible degree. L. abominor,- comp. of ab, from or against, 
and ominor, to wish ill luck: omen, a presageful sign, 

ABORIGINES, s. The earliest known inhabitants of a country. L. 
aborigines; comp. of ab, from, and origo, the beginning. 

ABORTION, s. Premature birth; produce of a premature birth; fail- 
ure of design. L. abortio; from aborto, to miscarry; ab, from, and 
ortus, part, of orior, to rise, or come suddenly. 

ABORTIVE, adj. In the manner of an abortion. L. dbortivus. See 
ABORTION. 

ABRASION, s. Act of rubbing off, or of gradually wearing away frem 
the other parts. L. abrasio ,- abrasus, p. part, of abrado .• ab, from, 
and rado, to scrape, or shave. 

ABROGATE, v. To repeal. L. abrogo,- comp. of ab, from, and rogo, 
to ask, or entreat. In Rome, no law was repealed, without asking 
the consent of the people. 

ABRUPT, adj. Broken; craggy; sudden; unexpected. L. abruptus, 
p. part, of abrumpo: ab, from, and rumpo, to break. 

ABSCESS, s. A morbid cavity. L. abscessus,- comp. of ab, from, and 
cessus, p. part, of cedo, to retire. 

ABSCIND, v. To cut off. L. abscindo: ab, from, and scindo, to cut. 

ABSCISSION, s. The act of cutting off. L. abscissio; from abscissus, 
p. part, of abscindo. See ABSCIND. 

ABSCOND, v. To hide; to depart secretly. L. abscondo; comp. of 
abs, from, and condo, to hide. 

ABSENT, adj. Not present; inattentive. L. absens, part, of absum ,- 
ab, from, and sum, I am. 

ABSOLUTE, adj. Unconditional ; complete ; not relative ; not limit- 
ed. L. absolutus, (p. part, of absolvo,) perfect, accomplished. See 
ABSOLVE. 

ABSOLUTION, s. Acquittal; remission of sins. L. absolutio ,- from 
absolutus, p. part, ofabsolvo. See ABSOLVE. 

ABSOLVE, v. To free, or acquit. L. absolvo; comp. of ab, from, and 
solvo, to loosen. 

ABSONANT, adj. Not to the purpose; inconsistent. L. absonans ,• 
part, of ' absono; ab, from, and sono, to sound. 

ABSORB, v. To draw in. L. absorbeo; ab, from, and sorbeo, to suck. 

ABSTAIN, v. To forbear. L. abstineo,- ab, from, and teneo, to hold. 

ABSTEMIOUS, adj. Temperate in diet, &c. L. abstemius. See AB- 
STAIN. 

ABSTERGENT, adj. Cleansing. L. abstergens, part, of abstergeo, to 

wipe clean. 
ABSTINENCE, s. Act of abstaining. L. See ABSTAIN. 
ABSTRACT, v. To take from ; to separate. L. abstractum, sup. of 

abstraho ; abs, from, and traho, to draw. 
ABSTRUSE, adj. Hidden ; difficult. L. abstrusus, part, of abstrudo, 
to conceal ; abs, from, and trudo, to thrust. 



ABS— ACC 

ABSURD, adj. Contrary to reason. L. absurdus : abs, From, and sur* 

dus, deaf, hearing to no purpose. 
ABUNDANT, adj. Plentiful; exuberant. L. abundans, part, of abun- 

do; comp. of ab, from, and undo, to flow. 
ABUSE, s. The act of using improperly; rude reproach. L. ab, from, 

and usus, the custom, or practice. 
ABYSS, s. A depth without bottom ; a prodigious gulf. L. abyssus ; 

G. abussos ; a, without, and bussos, a bottom. 
ACADEMY, s. A place where sciences are taught. Academus, of 

Athens, whose house was converted into a school. 
ACCEDE, v. To agree to. L. accedo; from ad, to, and cedo, to yield, 

or go. 
ACCELERATE, v. To hasten. L. accelero,- from ad, to, and celero, 

to give speed. 
ACCENT, s. Manner of speaking or pronouncing ; sound given to a 

particular syllable ; mark of that sound. F. accent, a tune, or note \ 

L. ad, to, and cantum, sup. of cano, to sing. 
ACCEPT, v. To receive willingly; to admit with approbation. L. ac- 
cept um, sup. ofaccipio; ad, to, and capio, to take. 
ACCESS, s. Means or liberty of approaching ; increase. L. accessus ,- 

from ad, to, and cessum, (sup. of cedo) to give way. 
ACCESSARY, or ACCESSORY, s. One who, not being a chief agent 

in an act, connives at, or contributes to it. L. From the same roots 

as access,- because aiding in gaining access. 
ACCIDENT, s. The property or quality of any being, which may be 

separated from it, at least in thought; casualty; chance. L. accidens, 

part, of accido; from ad, towards, and cado, to fall. 
ACCITE. v. To call; to summon. L. accitum, sup. of actio ; ad, to, 

and cieo, to move. 
ACCLAMATION, s. Shouts of applause. L. acclamatio; from ad, to, 

and clamo, to call loudly. 
ACCLIMATE, v. To habituate to a new climate. L. ad, to, and 

CLIMATE. 
ACCLIVITY, s. Steepness, reckoned upwards. L. acclivitas; from 

ad, to, and elivus, a slope. 
ACCOMMODATE, v. To render a convenience ; to make suitable j 

to compromise. L. accommodo,- ad, to, and commodo, to lend. 
ACCOMPANY, v. To go with, as a companion; to escort. See COM- 
PANY. 
ACCOMPLICE, s. A partner in crime. F» complice; L. complex,- con, 

together, and plico, to fold. 
ACCOMPLISH, v. To complete; to execute fully. F. accomplir ; L» 

compleo; con, with, and pleo, to fill. 
ACCORD, v. To agree. F. accorder; L. ad, to, and chorda, the string 

of a harp. 
ACCOST, i'. To speak to. F. accoster; from a, to, and coU, (formerly 

coste) the side ; meaning, to approach. 
ACCOUNT, s. A computation; a narrative. F. accompt; L. con, to«> 

gether, and puto, to adjust. 
ACCOUTRE, v. To equip. F. accoutre?, to dress. 
ACCREDIT, v. To authorize by a written commission. L. accredo ,« 

from ad, to, and credo, to trust. 



ACC— ACU 

ACCRETION, s. Act of growing to another thing-, so as to increase it. 

L. accretio: accretum, sup. of accresco: ad, to, and cresco, to grow. 
ACCRUE, v. To be added to. F. accru, part, of accmitre, to increase. 
ACCUMULATE, v. To put one heap upon another; to heap to- 
gether. L. accumuk; from ad, to, and cumulus, a heap. 
ACCURATE, adj. Exact; very correct. L. accuratus ,• from ad, to, 

and cur a, care. 
ACCUSATIVE, adj. Relating to that case in grammar, upon which 

the action of the verb or preposition terminates. L. accusalivus. See 

ACCUSE. 
ACCUSE, v. To charge with a crime. L. accuso,- from causa, a cause, 

or trial. 
ACE. s. One. L. acus, a small point; or G. heis, one. 
ACERBITY, s. Sourness; severity. L. acerbitas,- from acer, sharp, or 

painful; acer is from acus, a sharp point. 
ACETOUS, adj. Sour. L. acetum, vinegar. See ACID. 
ACHE. s. Pain. G. achos, pain. This word may be derived also from 

the Saxon. 
ACHIEVE, v. To perform. F. achever: from chef, a chief; signifying 

to perform as a chief. 
ACID. s. A sour substance. L. acidus. G. akidos, gen. of akis, a sharp 

edge, or point. 
ACIDULATE, v. To make sour. L. From the same root as add, 

with the addition of latus, brought ; that is, brought to a state of 

acidity. 
ACME. s. The height, especially of a disease. G. akme, the point, or 

edge. 
ACOUSTICS, s. The doctrine of sounds. G. dkoustika,- from akeuo, 

to hear. 
ACQUIESCE, v. To be satisfied with, either really or apparently. 

L. acquiesco; from ad, concerning, and quiesco, to become quiet. 
ACQUIRE, v. To gain; to obtain. L. acquiro,- comp. of ab, from, and 

qusero, to seek. 
ACQUISITION, s. Act of acquiring ; thing acquired. L. acquisiiio : 

acquisitus, p. part of acquiro. See ACQUIRE. 
ACQUIT, v. To declare innocent. F. acquitter ,- L. ad, to, and quie- 
tus, p. part, of quiesco, to rest, or be quiet. 
ACRID, adj. Of a hot, biting taste; bitter. L. acer, sharp. See ACID. 
ACRIMONIOUS, adj. Bitter; severe. L. aaimonia, sharpness ; from 

acer, sharp. 
ACROMATICAL. adj. Belonging to profound learning. G. akros, 

highest, and mateuo, to seek. 
ACROSTIC, s. A poem, of which the first letter of every line being- 
taken, a particular name is found. G. akros, outermost, and stichos, 

a verse. 
ACT. s. Something done; agency; a certain part of a play. L. actus,- 

from ago, to do. 
ACTUAL, adj. Real. F. actuel. See ACT. 
ACUMEN, s. Acuteness of mental perception. L. acumen,- from acus. 

a needle, or sharp point. 
\CUTE. adj. Ending in a point ; of a penetrating mind. L. acuf us, 

from acu&\ See ACUMEN 



ADA— ADJ 

ADAMANTINE, adj. Made of adamant ; of impenetrable hardness, 

and great durability. L. adamantinus: adamantis, gen. of adamas, 

a diamond. G. adamas.- a, not, and damao, to subdue. 
ADAPT, v. To fit; to suit. L. adapto,- from ad, to, and apto, to fit. 
ADD. v. To join ; to perform addition. L. addo; from ad, to, and do, 

to give. 
ADDENDA. Things to be added. L. addendus, p. part, of addo, to 

add. 
ADDICT, v. To devote ; commonly taken in a bad sense. L. addie- 

tum, sup. of addico : from ad, to, and dico, to say, or dedicate. 
ADDRESS, s. Dexterity; petition; courtship; manner of addressing 

another. F. addresses L. ad, to, and directus, p. part, of dirigo: from 

di, signifying separation, and rego, to rule, or guide. 
ADDUCE, v. To offer in argument. L. adduco; from ad, to, and du~ 

co, to bring. 
ADDUCENT, adj. A term applied to those muscles which draw to- 
gether the parts of the body. L. adducens, part, of adduco .- ad, to, 

and duco, to draw. 
ADEMPTION, s. Taking away; privation. L. ademptio; a, from, and 

demptus, p. part, of demo, to take away. 
ADEPT. 5. One completely skilled in a particular art. L. adeptus, 

part, of adipiscor, to obtain. 
ADEQUATE, adj. Equal to ; proportionate. L. adequatus,- from ad, 

for, and quitum, sup. of queo, to be able. 
ADHERE, v. To stick ; to continue firmly fixed. L. adhsereo; from 

ad, to, and hsereo, to stick. 
ADHESION, s. Act of adhering. Adhesion is used in the natural, 

and Adherence in the figurative, sense. L. adhsesio ; from adhaesus, 

part, of adhsereo. See ADHERE. 
ADIEU, int. Farewell. F. d Dieu, to God; that is, "I commend you 

to God." 
AD INFINITUM. Without end. L. ad, to, infinitum, accus. of infi- 

nitus, endless. 
ADJACENT, adj. Lying near; neighbouring. L. adjacens; from ad, 

to, and jacens, part, oi'jaceo, to lie. 
ADJECT, v. To place to. L. adjectum, sup. of adjicio ,- from ad, to, 

and jacio, to throw. . 
ADJECTIVE, s. A word added to a noun. L. adjectivum ; from ad, 

to, inAjactus, p. part, of jacio, to throw. 
ADJOIN, v. To join to; to be contiguous to. F. adjoindre; L. ad, to 9 

and jungo, to join. 
ADJOURN v. To put off to another day, or to another time of the 

same day. F. adjouryier ,- from a, to, and jour, a day. 
ADJUDICATION, s. The act of judging, or of granting something 1 

by a judicial sentence. L. adjudicatio ; adjudico, to give sentence t. 
judex, a judge. 
ADJUNCT, adj. Joined to ; assistant. L. adjunctus, p. part, of ad« 

jungo. See ADJOIN. 
ADJURE, v. To impose an oath, &c. L. adjuro ,• from ad, concern- 
ing, and juro, to swear. 
ADJUST, v. To regulate; to render conformable. F. adjuster,- L. att 3 

to, and Justus, right. 

B2 



ADJ— ADV 

ADJUTANT, s. An assistant military officer. F. adjutant,- L. ad, to, 

and jutum, sup. of juvo, to help. 
AB LIBITUM. At pleasure. L. ad, to, libitum, the will. 
ADMINISTER, v, To give; to perform. L. administro. See MIN- 
ISTER. 
. ADMIRE, v. To regard with wonder, or pleasure. L. admiror,- from 

ad, at, and miror, to wonder. 
ADMISSIBLE. <«//. Tnat may be admitted. L. admissus, p. part, of 

admitto. See ADMIT. 
ADMIT, v. To let in, or grant. L. admitto; from ad, into, and mitto, 

to send. 
ADMIX, v. To mingle. L. admixtum, sup. of admisceo,- comp. of arc?, 

to, and misceo, to mix. 
ADMONISH, v. To warn of a fault; to reprove gently. L. admoneo; 

from ad, to, and moneo, to advise. 
ADOLESCENCE, s. The age succeeding childhood. L. adolescentia,- 

from adolesco, to grow. 
ADOPT, v. To receive as our own. L. adopto; from «e?, to, and opto, 

to select. 
ADORE, v. To worship with external homage. L. adoro; from ad, 

to, and wo, to speak or entreat. 
AB QTJOB BAMNTJM. The title of a writ of inquiry, to ascertain 

what injury may possibly be done, by the erection of a new market, 

&c. to another market already established. L. ad, concerning, quod, 

what, damnum, loss. 
ADROIT, adj. Dexterous; skilful; active. F. adroit; a, to, and droit, 

the right hand. 
ADSTRICTION. s. Act of binding together. L. adstrictiv; ad, to, 

and strictus, p. part, of stringo, to bind. 
ADULATION, s. Extreme flattery. L. adulatio, the fawning of a dog; 

' G. skuhkion, gen. of kuon, a dog. 
ADULT, s. A person full grown. L. adultus, (p. part, of adoleo) 

growa up. 
AB VALOREM. According to the value. L. ad, according to, 

valorem, accus. of valor, value. 
ADVANCE, v. To go, or come, forward; to bring forward ; to give 

or to lend before the regular time. F. avancer,- avant, before. 
ADVANTAGE, s. Gain; superiority. F. avantage.. See ADVANCE. 
ADVENT, s. A holy season, during four weeks immediately before 

Christmas. L. adventus, the coming [of the Redeemer.] 
ADVENTITIOUS, adj. Accidental; extrinsic. L. adventitius ,- from 

ad, to, and venium, sup. oivenio, to come. 
ADVENTURE, s. A chance; a hazard; an enterprise. F. aventure,- 

L. adventurus, about to happen ; from advenio: ad, to, and venio, to 

come. 
ADVERB. *. A word joined to another word. L. adverbium; from 

ad, to, and verbum, a word. 
ADVERSE, adj. Opposing; hostile. L. adversus,- from ad, against, 

and versus, p. part, of verto, to turn. 
ADVERT, v. To attend to; to speak of. L. advtrto; from ad, to, and 

verto, t© turn. 



ADV— AFF 

ADVERTISE, v. To inform; to make public. L. ad, to, and veri\ 

to turn [attention.] See ADVERT. 
ADVISE, v, To counsel; to consult; to inform. F. miser, (formerly 

adviser,-) from ad, upon, and visum, (sup. of video) to see, or consider, 
ADVOCATE, s. One who pleads for another, or who speaks in favour 

of any measure. L. advocatus ,- from ad, for, and voco, to call out, 

or speak. 
AD VOLUTION, s. The act of rolling towards. L. advolutio; front 

ad, to, and volutus, p. part, of volvo, to roll. 
AD VOWS ON. s. The right of presentation to a church, or ecclesias- 
tical benefice. L. advocatio: ad, to, and voco, to call. 
AERIFORM, adj. Gaseous; having the form of air. L. a'e'r, air, and 

forma, shape. 
JEROLITE. s. A solid substance, that has fallen out of the air, as a 

meteoric stone, &c. L. and G. a'e'r, air. 
AEROLOGY. 5. The doctrine of the atmosphere. G. aer, air, and 

logos, a description. 
AEROMETRY. s. The art of measuring the air. G. aer, air, and 

metreo, to measure. 
AERONAUT, s. One who ascends in a balloon. L. a'e'r, the air, and 

nauta, a sailor. G. aer, and nautes. 
AFFABLE, adj. Accostable; agreeable in discourse. F. affable,- L. 

ad, to, and fabulor, to speak ; that is, an affable person is one who 

may be spoken to. 
AFFAIR, s. Business. F. affaire,- from faire, to do; L. facere, infin. 

of facio, to do. 
AFFECT, v. To influence; to pretend. L. affectum, sup. of officio, - 

comp. of ad, to, and facio, to do. 
AFFECTION, s. Love; personal attachment; state of being affected. 

L. affectio. See AFFECT. 
AFFIDAVIT, s. A declaration upon oath. L. This word is con- 
tracted from an expression of the common law, — adfidem dedit,- that 

is, he has given assurance concerning [this matter.] 
A FFINITY. s. Relation by marriage, opposed to consanguinity, or 

relation by birth ; connexion with ; resemblance to. L. affinitas; 

from ad, to, and finis, a boundary, or border. 
AFFIRM, v. To ratify; to declare. L. affirmo,- from ad, concerning, 

and frmo, to establish. 
AFFIX, v. To unite to the end ; to subjoin ; to connect with. L. 

affxum, sup. of affigo,- from ad, to, and figo, to fasten. 
AFFLICT, v. To cause pain. L. affiictum, sup. of affligo ,- from ad, 

against, and fiigo, to dash. 
AFFLUENT, adj. Rich. L. affiuens, part, of affluo,- from ad, to, and 

fiuo, to flow. 
AFFLUX. *. The act of flowing to; the thing which flows.* L» 

afftuxus,- from affluo: ad, to, and fiuo, to flow. 
AFFRAY, s. The fighting of two or more persons, in some public 

place, and causing terror to others. F. effrayer, (formerly effriger) 

to terrify. 
AFFRONT, v. To insult; to offend. F. affronter,- L. ad, to, and 

frons, the face ; meaning, to insult a man before his face. 



AFF— ALL 

AFFUSION, s. The act of pouring one thing upon another. L. qffu* 

sio; affurus, p. part, of affundo: ad, upon, and fundo, to pour. 
A FORTIORI. With stronger reason. L. a, with, fortiori, abl. of 

fortior, stronger. 
AGENT, s. One who transacts business for another; that which acts, 

L. agens, part, of ago, to act. 
AGGLOMERATE, v. To come together, as a ball. L. agglomero; 

from ad, to, and ghmus, a ball of yarn. 
AGGLUTINATE, v. To join: (used chiefly in medical language:) 

L. ad, to, and gluten, glue. 
AGGRANDIZE, v. To make great; to increase in power. F. aggran- 

diser,- from grand, great. L. grandis. 
AGGRAVATE, v. To make heavier : (used only in a metaphorical 

sense;) to make worse. L. aggravo; from ad, and gravo, to burthen. 
AGGREGATE, s. The entire; the collective result. L. aggrego, to 

accumulate; from grex, a flock. 
AGGRESSION, s. An unprovoked injury. L. aggressio,- from ad, 

towards, and gradus, a step. 
AGILITY, s. Activity. F. agiliti; L. agilitas,- from ago, to act. 
AGITATE, v. To shake violently. L. agito, freq. of ago, to act. 
AGONY, s. Extreme pain. G. agon, a struggle, or contention. 
AGRARIAN, adj. Relating to land. L. agrarius; from ager, a field. 
AGRICULTURE, s. The art of cultivating the ground; tillage. L. 

agricultura ,- ager, a field, and cultus, p. part, of colo, to till. 
AID-DE-CAMP. s. An officer who conveys the orders of a military 

commander. F. aide, an assistant, de, of, camp, the camp. 
ALACRITY, s. Cheerful speed. L. alacritas; from ala, a wing. 
A-LA-MODE. F. a la mode, according to the fashion. 
ALARM. 5. Notice of danger. F. d I' armes! (aux armes/) to arms! 
ALBUMEN, s. That which forms the serum of the blood, the white 

of eggs, &c. L. album, the white of an egg. 
ALCHEMY, s. Formerly signified the most abstruse part of chemistry, 

as the attempt to transmute common metals into gold ; but it is no 

longer ranked amongst the sciences. Arabic, al, the, and G. chuo, 

to melt. 
ALCHYMY. s. See ALCHEMY. 

ALERT, adj. Brisk; watchful. F. alerte,- L. ala, a wing. 
ALMS. Otherwise; or: — thus; "Donnel, alias O'Donnell." L. alias, 

in another manner. 
ALIBI. Means that the accused was absent when the crime was 

committed. L. alibi, elsewhere. 
ALIEN, s. A foreigner. L. alienus, from alius, another. 
ALIENATE, v. To transfer to another; to withdraw the affections. 

L. alieno. See ALIEN. 
ALIMENT, s. Food. L. alimentum; from ah, to nourish. 
ALIMONY, s. Legal allowance by a husband to his wife, after sepa- 
ration. L. alimonia; from alo, to nourish. 
ALIQUOT, adj. Even; without a remainder, — as 2 is an aliquot part 

of 10. L. aliquot; from aliquoties, certain times. 
ALLEGATION, s. Affirmation; thing alleged. L. allegatio. See 

ALLEGE. 



ALL— AMA 

ALLEGE, v. To affirm; to maintain; to declare. L. allego,- from ad, 

to, and lego, to impute. 
ALLEGIANCE, s. The duty of a subject. F. allegeance,- L. ad, to, 

and legem, accus. of lex, a law. 
ALLEGORY, s. A figurative relation. G. allegoria,- from alios, an- 
other, and agora, a speech. 
ALLEVIATE, v. To lighten. L. a//ew,- o&, from, and lew, to lift. 
ALLIANCE. 5. Connexion; a league. F. alliance. See ALLY. 
ALLIGATION. 5. The arithmetical rule which teaches to adjust the. 

price of compounds, formed of several ingredients of different value, 

L. alligatio; from alligo,- ad, together, and ligo, to bind. 
ALLITERATION, s. Beginning several successive words with the 

same letter. L. ad, and litera, [adhering] to a letter. 
ALLODIAL, adj. Allodial lands are those which are not held under 

any superior. In England, all lands are held under the crown. The 

etymology of this word is uncertain. 
ALLUDE, v. To speak of indirectly; to hint at. L. alludo; from 

ad, towards, and ludo, to play, — perhaps originally used respecting 

the episodes of a lively composition. 
ALLURE, v. To entice. F. d, to, and leurre, a decoy, or bait. 
ALLUSION. s. Indirect reference; a hint. L. See ALLUDE. 
ALLUVIAL, adj. Relating to alluvion; consisting of alluvion. 
ALLUVION, s. That which is carried by a flood; as land formed near 

a river. F. alluvion .- L. alluvio, an inundation of water; alluo, to 

flow near to : ad, to, and luo, to wash away. 
ALLY. s. A confederate. F. attie; d, to, and Her, (L. ligo) to tie. 
ALPHA TO OMEGA. From the beginning to the end: alpha is the 

first, and omega the last letter, of the Greek alphabet. 
ALPHABET, s. The letters of a language. G. alpha and beta, the 

first two letters of the Greek alphabet. 
ALTAR, s. A place raised for worship. L. altare,- from altus, high. 
ALTER, s. To change. L. alter, another. 
ALTERCATION, s. Dispute. F. altercation.- L. altercatio; from 

alterco, to contend. 
ALTERNATIVE, s. Choice of two things. F. alternatif; L. alter, 

another. 
ALTITUDE, s. Height. L. altitudo,- from altus, high. 
ALUMNI, s. Pupils; youths who have been educated at any particular 

college. L. pi. of alumnus, a pupil, or foster child : from ah, to 

nourish. 
AMALGAM, s. A composition of metals. G. ama, together, and 

gameo, to marry. 
AMALGAMATE, v. To form into amalgam; to unite intimately. See 

AMALGAM. 
AMANUENSIS, s. A writer employed by an author, &c. L. ama- 

nuensis; from ad, in place of, and manus, a hand. 
AMASS, v. To accumulate. F. amasser,- L. ad, to, and massa, a 

heap. 
AMATEUR, s. A lover of any particular pursuit or system. F. ama- 
teur,- L. amator, a lover; from amo, to love. 
AMATORY, adj. Relating to love ; containing sentiments of lave. 

L, amator, a lover; from amo, to love. 



AMA— JENA 

AMAZON, s. One of the warlike nation of women who inhabited 
Caucasus; said to have cut off their right breast, that they might the 
more easily .use their weapons. G. a, not, and mazos, a breast. 

AMBASSADOR, s. A person sent, in a public .maaner, from one 
sovereign power to another. F. ambassadeur; L. ambio, to go 
about, or make interest for. 

AMBIDEXTROUS, adj. Expert with both hands. L. ambidexter; 
from ambo, both, and dexter, right-handed. 

AMBIGUOUS, adj. Having a double meaning ; doubtful. L. ambi~ 
guus,- from ambo, both. 

AMBITION, s. Desire of eminence. L. ambitio; from ambio, to go 
about, or solicit. 

AMBROSIA, s. Th« imaginary food of the gods. G. ambrosia; from 
ambrotos, immortal. 

AMBUSCADE, s. A hostile concealment. F. embuscade,- en, in, and 
bois, a wood. 

AMENABLE, adj. Responsible; tractable. F. amesnable; amener, 
to lead. 

AMEND, v. To reform; to correct. L. emendo; comp. of e, from, and 
menda, a blemish. 

AMENITY, s. Pleasantness; agreeableness. L. amoznitas; G. ame- 
nitos; a, without, and menis, anger. 

xi MENSA ET THORO. From bed and board ; a term used to de- 
note a partial divorce, distinguished from de vinculo matrimonii, 
which signifies a total divorce. L. a, from, mensa, a table, et, and, 
thoro, abl. of thorus, a bed. 

AMIABLE, adj. Lovely; virtuous. F. aimabk: L. amo, to love. 

AMICABLE, adj. Friendly; peaceable. L. amicabilis; from amo, 
to love. 

AMITY, s. Friendship; peace. F. amitie; L. amicitia: amo, to love. 

AMNESTY, s. An act of oblivion. G. amnestia; from a, not, and 
mnaomai, to remember. 

AMOROUS, adj. Loving; lustful. L. amor, love. 

AMOR-PATRIJE. The love of one's country. L. amor, love, patriae, 
gen. of patria, a country. 

AMOTION, s. A term used, in law, to denote a violent removing, or 
displacing. L. amotum, sup. of amoveo: a, from, and moveo, to move. 

AMPHIBIOUS, adj. Capable of living on land, or in water. G. am- 
phibious: amphi, opposite, and bios, life. 

AMPHITHEATRE, s. A circular or oval building; of which, the area, 
or pit, is reserved for exhibitions, and surrounded by seats, one above 
another. G. amphitheatron ; from amphi, around, and theatron,^ 
theatre. 

AMPLE, adj. Large; wide; sufficient. F. ample-, L. amplus, large. 

AMPLIFY, v. To enlarge. F. amplifier,- L. amplus, large, and Jio, 

to be made. 
AMPUTATE, v. To cut off. L. amputo, comp. of ab, from, and 

puto, to lop. 
AMUSE, v. To entertain; to deceive by artful management. F. amu- 

ser,- L. musa, a song, or poem. 
ANABAPTIST, s. One who opposes the baptism of infants. G. ana, 
again, and bapto, to wash ; because the original followers of that 



ANA— AM 

doctrine, had been christened when children, and were again bap- 
tized, when adults, by immersion. 
ANACHRONISM, s. Error in computing time. F. anackronisme ; 

G. ana, against, and chronos, time. 
ANACREONTIQ.UE. s. A poem in the manner of Anacreon, of Ionia; 

who wrote in Greek. 
ANAGRAM, s. A conceit, arising from the^ transposition of letters. 

G. ana, opposite to, or backwards, and gramma, a letter. 
ANALECTIC. adj. Selecting. G. ana, again, and lektos, collected. 
ANALOGY, s. Resemblance, with regard to some circumstances or 

effects. F. analogie,- G. analogia,- from ana, with, and logos, a word. 
ANALYSIS, s. Separation. G. analusis; from ana, separately, and 

luo, to dissolve. 
ANALYTIC, or ANALYTICAL. By analysis ; examining minutely. 

See ANALYSIS. 
ANARCHY, s. Want of government ; national confusion. G. anar- 

chia ,- from a, without, and arche, government. 
ANATHEMA, s. A curse, pronounced by ecclesiastical authority; 

excommunication. G. anathema: ana, denoting separation, and 

tithemi, to place. 
ANATOMY, s. The art of dissection. G. anatomia,- from ana, sepa- 
rately, and temno, to cut. 
ANCESTOR, s. One from whom a person is remotely descended. 

L. antecessor; from ante, before, and cessum, sup. of cedo, to go. 
ANCHOR, s. An instrument for holding a ship in a certain place. L, 

anchora; G. ankura, a guard. 
ANCHORITE, s. A religious recluse. G. anachoreo, to withdraw. 
ANCIENT, adj. Past; former; of great age. F. ancien; L. ante^ 

before. 
ANCILLARY, adj. Subservient. L. ancilla, a maid-servant. 
ANECDOTE, s. Secret history; biographical incident. G. anekdoton; 

from a, not, and ekdidoni, to publish. 
ANEMOGRAPHY. s. Description of the cause of the winds. G. 

anemos, the wind, and grapho, to write. 
ANEMOMETER, s. An instrument for measuring the power or velo- 
city of the wind. G. anemos, the wind, and metreo, to measure. 
ANEMOSCOPE, s. An instrument to show the direction of the wind. 

G. anemos, the wind, and skcpeo, to view. 
ANEURISM, s. An irregular dilation of an artery. G. aneuro, to dilate. 
ANGEL, s. A celestial inhabitant, or messenger. G. angelos: angelfoj 

to deliver a message. 
ANGLE. s. A term in mathematics. L. angulus, a corner. 
ANGLICE'. In English. L. 

ANGUISH, s. Excessive pain. F. angoisse,- L. ango, to strangle. 
ANIMADVERT, v. To consider; to observe; to censure. L. animad' 
verto ,• from animus, the mind, ad, to, verto, to turn. 
! ANIMAL, s. A living creature. L. animal, a living creature ; G. 
anima, breath. 
ANIMATE, v. To give life ; to enliven. L. animo. See ANIMAL. 
' ANIMOSITY, s. Vehement hatred. L. animositas ; from animus, 
spirit, passion. 



ANN— ANT 

ANNALS, s. History, in which the events are recorded in yearly 

succession. L. annates ,- from annus, a year. 
ANNEX, v. To join to; to unite. L. annexum, sup. of annccto,- ad, 

to, and wecfo, to join. 
ANNIHILATE, v. To destroy. L. ad, to, and m'^7, nothing. 
ANNIVERSARY, s. Yearly return. L. anniversarius ; from anni, of 

a year, and versus, a turning: annus and tterfo. 
ANNO DOMINI, or A. D. The sign of the Christian era. L. anno, 

in the year, Domini, of our Lord. 
ANNO MUNDI, or A. M. A term in chronology, referring to the 

creation. L. anno, in the year, mundi, of the world. 
ANNOTATOR. s. One who writes notes; a commentator. L. anno- 

tator; from ad, concerning, and noto, to mark. 
ANNOUNCE, v. To proclaim. L. annuncio,- from ad, to, and nuncio, 

to relate. 
JiVTVD URBIS CONBITM, or A. U. C. A term in Roman chro- 
nology. L. anno, in the year, urbis, of the city, (Rome,) conditse, 

being built. 
ANNOY, v. To molest ; to teaze. F. nuire, to hurt ; L. ad, to, and 

noceo, to hurt. 
ANNUAL. #o^'. Yearly. F. annuel: L. annus, a year. 
ANNUITY, s. Yearly allowance. F. annuite; L. annus, a year, and 

tYuw, sup. of eo, to go, or proceed. 
ANNUL, v. To make void. L. ad, to, and nullus, of no account. 
ANNULAR, adj. In the form of a ring. L. annulus, a ring. 
ANODYNE. s. A mitigator of pain. G. ana, against, and odune, 

pain. 
ANOINT, v. To rub with ointment. F. obit, part, of oindre; L. in, 

upon, and unctio, ointment. 
ANOMALOUS, adj. Irregular. G. a, without, and nomos, a law. 
ANONYMOUS, adj. Without a name. L. anonymus.- G. a, without, 

and onuma, a name. 
ANTAGONIST, s. An opponent. F. antagoniste: G. anti, against, 

and agonizo, to contend. 
ANTARCTIC, adj. A term in astronomy. G. anti, opposite, and 

arctic. 
ANTECEDENT, s. That which goes before. L. antecedens; from 

ante, before, and cedens, part, of cedo, to go. 
ANTEDATE, v. To date earlier than the proper time. L. ante, be- 
fore, and date. 
ANTEDILUVIAN, adj. Existing before the flood. L. ante, before, 

and diluvium, a deluge. 
ANTEMERIDIAN, or A. M. L. ante, before, meridies, noon. 
ANTEPENULT, s. The last syllable except two. L. antepenultima; 

ante, before, pene, almost, ultimus, the last. 
ANTERIOR, adj. Going before; previous. L. anterior, the compar. 

form of ante, before. 
ANTHEM, s. A hymn, sung in alternate parts ; any holy song. 6. 

anthumnos ,• from anti, opposite to, and humneo, to sing in verse, or 

to praise. 
ANTHRACITE, adj. Composed chiefly of carbon ; not bituminous 

G^ anthrax, a coal. 



ANT— APH 

ANTHROPOPHAGI, s. Eaters of human flesh. G. anthropos, a man, 

and phago, to eat. 
ANTICHR1STIAN. adj. Opposed to Christianity. G. anti, against, 

and Christian. 
ANTICIPATE, v. To act or think before an event. L. anticipo; 

from ante, before, and capio, to take. 
ANTIC, adj. Strange ; ridiculous. L. antiquus, ancient. 
ANTICLIMAX, s. A sentence, of which the last part expresses some- 
thing' lower than the first. G. anti, opposite to, and climax. 
ANTIDOTE, s. A remedy for poison. G. antidotos ,- from anti, 

ag-ainst, and dotos; part, of didomai, to give. 
ANTIFEBRILE, adj. Efficacious ag-ainst fever. G. anti, against, 

and L. febris, a fever. 
ANTIFEDERALIST. s. A person who was opposed to the tenor of 

the federal constitution of the United States of America. G. anti, 

against, and federalist. 
ANTIPATHY.*. Fixed dislike. G. anti, against, and pathos, feeling. 
ANTIPHONY. s. An echo. G. anti, against, and phone, a voice. 
ANTIPHRASIS. s. An expression in which the words are used in a 

sense opposite to their just meaning. G. anti, opposite to, and 

phrasis, a form of speech. 
ANTIPODES, s. People who live on opposite meridians, and in op- 
posite latitudes. G. anti, opposite to, and podes, feet. 
ANTIPOLOMIST. s. One opposed to war. G. anti, against, and 

pulemos, war. 
ANTIQUARY, s. A searcher of ancient things. L. antiquarius; from 

ante, before, and qusero, to seek. 
ANTISCORBUTIC, adj. Efficacious against scurvy. G. anti, against, 

and scorbutic. 
ANTISEPTIC, adj. Preventive of putrefaction. F. antiseptique : 

G. anti, against, and sepo, to putrefy. 
ANTISPASMODIC, adj. Efficacious against cramp. G. anti, against^ 

and spasmos, the cramp : spao, to draw. 
ANTITHESIS, s. Contrast in words. G. antithesis,- from anti, against, 

and then, to put. 
ANTCECI. s. People who live in opposite latitudes, on the same 

meridian. G. anti, opposite to, and oikeo, to dwell. 
ANXIETY, s. Trouble of mind, about a future event. L. anxietas; 

from angor, anguish : ango, to strangle. 
APARTMENT, s. A separate room ; a chamber. F. apartement: L. 

a, from, and pars, a part. 
APATHY, s. Want of feeling*, or of passion. G. a, without, and 

pathos, feeling. 
APEPSIA, or APEPSY. s. Want of natural concoction ; vulgarly, a 

heart-burn. G. apepsia,- from a, not, and pepto, to boil, or digest. 
APERIENT, adj. Gently purgative. L. aperiens, part, of aperio, to 

open. 
APERTURE, s. An opening. L. apertura,- from aperio, to open. 
APEX. s. The point. L. apex, the top. 
APHELION, s. That part in the orbit of any planet, which is the 

most remote from the sun. G. apo, from, and helios, the sun. 
C 



APH— APP 

APHCERISIS. s. A figure of speech, by which a letter or syllable is 

taken from the beginning of a word. G. aphairesis,- comp. of apo, 

from, and aireo, to take. 
APHORISM, s. A maxim; a precept contracted into a short sentence. 

G. aphorismos; comp. of apo, from, and orizo, to separate or define. 
APIARY, s. A place for bees. L. apis, a bee. 
APOCALYPSE, s. Revelation; the last book of the New Testament. 

G. apokalupto, to uncover. 
APOCRYPHAL, adj. Of uncertain authority. G. apo, far off, and 

krupto, to hide. 
APOGEE, s. A point in the heavens, in which the sun, or a planet, 

is at the greatest distance from the earth. G. apo, from, and ge, 

the earth. 
APOLOGUE, s. A kind of fable. G. apologos; from apo, far off, 

and logos, a discourse ; alluding to the nature of fable ; which incul- 
cates one thing by the relation of another. 
APOLOGY, s. Excuse. G. apologia,- from apo, after, and logos, a 

speech ; that is, an explanation subsequent to the offence. 
APOPLEXY, s. A general deprivation of animal sensation. G. apo- 

plexis; from apo, through, and plesso, to strike. 
APOSTATE, s. One who has deserted his former profession, either 

in politics or religion. G. apostates,- apo, from, and estaotos, part. 

©f istimi, to stand. 
A POSTERIORI. From the latter; a phrase, in logic, opposed to 

a priori, and used in reasoning from an effect to its cause. L. a, 

from, and posteriori, abl. of posterior, the latter. 
APOSTLE, s. A person deputed. G. apostolos; from apo, from, and 

stelh, to send. 
APOSTROPHE', s. A diversion of speech, to another person or thing. 

G. apostrophe : comp. of apo, from, and strepho, to turn. 
APOTHECARY, s. A compounder of medicines. L. apotheca, a 

wine-cellar, or store-house : G. apo, from, and theke, a depository. 
APOTHEGM, or APOPHTHEGM, s. A pointed sentiment; a maxim 

delivered extempore. G. apophthegma: apo, without [consideration], 

and phihengomai, to speak. 
APOTHEOSIS, s. Heathenish deification. G. apotheosis: from apo, 

(a word of multifarious signification, ) and theos, a god. 
APPAL, v. To affright. F. appalir,- L. ad, at, palleo, to look pale. 
APPANAGE, s. An appurtenance of land. . F. apanage,- from appen- 

dre, to hang : L. ad, to, and pendo, to hang. 
APPARATUS, s. Utensils; philosophical instruments. L. apparatus,- 

from ad, for, and paro, to prepare. 
APPAREL, s. Dress; habiliments. F. appareil, furniture. See 

APPARATUS. 
APPARENT, adj. Easily seen; seeming, not real. L.. apparent, part. 

of appareo,- from ad, to, and pareo, to appear. 
APPARITION, s. An ideal spectre. L. appareo; to appear. 
APPEAL, v. To remove a' cause from a lower, to a higher tribunal ; 

to refer. L. appelh, to apply to : ad and pello. 
APPEAR, v. To come in view; to be apparent. L. appareo, to ap- 
pear; ad and pareo. 



APP— APR 

APPEASE, v. To quiet. F. appaiser,- a, to, and paix, peace : L. 

ad and pax. 
APPELLATE! adj. Appellate jurisdiction is the power of hearing 

appeals. See APPEAL. 
APPELLATION, s. A name. L. appellatio,- appello, to call; from 

ad, to, and pello, to strike or effect: so as to draw attention. 
APPEND, v. To hang or attach. L. appendo: ad, to, and pendo, to 

hang. 
APPENDIX, s. A supplement. L. appendix. See APPEND. 
APPERTAIN, v. To belong (with to.) F. appartenir,- L. ad, to, 

and perteneo, to belong: perteneo is from per, by, and teneo, to hold. 
APPETITE, s. Desire; keenness of stomach. L. appetitio; from ad, 

for, and peto, to seek. 
APPLAUD, v. To praise, by clapping the hands; to praise aloud. L. 

applaudo : ad, to, and laudo, or plaudo, to give praise. 
APPLICABLE, adj. Suitable; attributable. F. applicable. See 

APPLY. 
APPLY, v. To join; to have recourse (with to.) L. applico; from ad, 

to, and plico, to fold. 
APPOINT, v. To fix, or mark out. F. appointer; L. ad, to, and 

punctum, sup. of pungo. See POINT. 
APPORTION, v. To assign in just proportion. L. ad, to, and por- 
tion. 
APPOSITE, adj. Proper; appropriate. L. appositus; from ad, to, 

and positus, p. part, of pono, to place. 
APPOSITION, s. Addition of new matter; agreement of nouns. L. 

appositio. See APPOSITE. 
APPRAISE, v. To fix a price on. F. apprecier; L. ««?, to, and 

pretium, a price. 
APPRECIATE, v. To value at a just rate or price. F. apprecier. 

See APPRAISE. 
APPREHEND, v. To seize; to understand. L. apprehendo,- from ad, 

to or at, and prehendo, to catch. 
APPRENTICE, s. One who is bound by covenant to remain with an- 
other for a certain period, in order that he may acquire knowledge 

of an art or trade. F. apprenti : apprendre, to learn. 
APPRIZE, v. To inform. F. appris, part, of apprendre, to inform. 
APPROACH, v. To come near. F. approcher,- from d, to, and proche, 

near : L. ad, to, and proximus, next. 
APPROBATION, s. Approval. L. approbatio. See APPROVE. 
APPROPRIATE, v. To assign to some particular use. L. ad, to, 

and proprius, special or particular. 
APPROVE, v. To like; to be pleased with. F. approuver : L. ap- 

probo, to approve. 
APPROXIMATE, v. To approach. L. ad, to, and proximus, next. 
APPURTENANCE, s. A thing appertaining. See APPERTAIN. 
APRIL, s. The fourth month. L. Aprilis; from aperio, to open; 

because, in April, the blossoms unfold. 
A PRIORI. From the former; in the first instance : a phrase, in logic, 

opposed to a posteriori, and used in reasoning from a cause to its 

effect. L. a, from, priori, abl. of prior, the former. 



APR— ARC 

APROPOS. To the purpose; well-timed. F. d, to, propos, the pur- 
pose. 
APT. adj. Fit; inclined; ready. L. apfus, p. part, of apto, to fit, or 

adapt. 
APTOTE. s. An indeclinable noun. G. a, without, and ptosis, a 

case. 
AQUAFORTIS, s. Sulphite of nitre. L. aqua, water, and fortis, . 

(gen. of fors) of strength. 
AQUAREGIA. s. Nitro-muriatic acid. L. aqua, water, and regia, 

(fem. of regius,) royal : this mixture will dissolve gold,- hence, its 

princely title. 
AQUARIUS, s. A sign of the zodiac. L. aquarius, a water-bearer. 
AQUATIC, adj. Relating- to any thing that inhabits water. L. aqua- 

ticus ; from aqua, water. 
AQUAVITJE. 5. A strong spirituous liquor. L. aqua, water, vitse, 

of life. (It should rather be named aqua mortis, the water of death. ) 
AQUEDUCT, s. An artificial conveyance for water. L. aquseductus; 

aqua, water, and ductus, p. part, of duco, to bring. 
AQUILINE, adj. An. aquiline nose resembles an eagle's beak. L. 

aquilinus; from aquila, an eagle. 
ARABLE, adj. Fit for cultivation. L. arabilis; aro, to plough. 
ARBITER, s. A judge ; one who has the power of direction. L. 

arbiter, an arbitrator, or ruler. 
. ARBITRARY, adj. Despotic; independent of rules. L. arbitrarius. 

See ARBITER. 
ARBITRATOR, s. A judge, chosen by mutual consent. L. arbitror, 

to award. See ARBITER. 
ARBORESCENT, adj. Growing in the form of a tree. L. arbor escens, 

part, of arboresco: arbor, a tree. 
ARBOUR, s. A bower. L. arbor, a tree. 
ARC. s. Part of a circle. L. arcus, a bow or arch ; because these 

describe only part of a circle. 
ARCADE, s. A continued arch; a walk covered with an arched roof. 

F. arcade. L. arcus. See ARCH. 

JLRCANUM. s. A secret. L. arcanum,- from area, a chest, coffin, or 
tomb : secrets are hidden, as in a chest. 

ARCH. s. Part of a circle. L. arcus. See ARC. 

ARCHANGEL, s. One of the highest order of angels. G. archos, 
chief, and angel. 

ARCHBISHOP, s. A chief bishop. G. archos, chief, and bishop. 

ARCHER, s. One who uses a bow. L. arcus, a bow. 

ARCHETYPE, s. The original. L. archetypus,- G. arche, the begin- 
ning, and tupos, a type. See TYPE. 

ARCHITECT, s. A professor of the art of building. L. architectus.- 

G. archos, chief, and tekton, a builder. 

ARCHITRAVE, s. The moulding next above the capital of a column : 

in timber buildings, it is called the master-beam. G. arche, chief, 

and L. trabs, a beam. 
ARCHIVES, s. A place for public records; or the records themselves. 

L. archiva,- G. arche, a government. 
ARCHON. s. One of the nine chief magistrates of Athens. G. archon, 

from arche, a chief. 



ARC— ARS 

ARCTIC, adj. Relating to the arctic circle, or to the north. G. arktos, 
a bear; the name given to the northern constellation. 

ARDENT, adj. Hot; eager. L. ardens,- from ardeo, to burn. 

ARDUOUS, adj. Difficult. L. arduus, inaccessible; lofty; dangerous, 

AREA. s. A term in mathematics, and architecture. L. area, a va- 
cant place. See ARENA. 

ARENA, s. That part of a theatre which is left vacant for the con- 
tests, or sports. L. arena, sand; because the space was strewed 
with sand. Area appears to be derived from arena. 

ARGILLACEOUS, adj. Partaking of the nature of clay. L. argil- 
laceus: argilla, white clay, such as potters use. 

ARGUE, v. To reason; to dispute. L. arguo, to show or prove. 

ARGUMENTUM AD H0M1NEM. An argument which derives its 
strength from its personal application. L. argumentum, an argu- 
ment, ad, to, hominem, accus. of homo, a man. 

ARID. adj. Dry; parched. L. aridus, dry, parched. 

ARIES, s. A sign of the zodiac. L. aries, a ram. 

ARISTOCRACY, s. A government by nobles. G. aristos, best, or 
most eminent, and krateo, to govern : meaning, where the most 
powerful men govern. 

ARITHMETIC, s. The science of numbers. L. ariihmetica ; G. 
arithmos, a number. 

ARITHMOMETER, s. An instrument for solving questions in arith- 
metic. G. arithmos, a number, and metreo, to measure. 

ARK. s. A large chest; a vessel to swim on the water, as the Ark of 
Noah. L. area, a chest. — The close rooms in which meal is kept in 
some parts of Britain, and a species of vessels with which the peo- 
ple of the United States descend their rivers, are called arks. 

ARMILLARY. adj. Resembling a bracelet. L. armilla, a bracelet— 
See Ferguson's description of the globes. 

ARMISTICE, s. A short truce. L. armistitium ; from arma, arms, 
and sto, to stand. 

AROMATIC, ndj. Spicy; fragrant. F. aromatique: L. aroma, spice. 

ARRANGE, v. To place in order; to settle. F. arranger,- from a, to, 
and rang, a row or rank. 

ARREAR. s. That which is left unpaid, or not done. F. arriere, 
behind. 

ARREST, v. To seize; to stop. F. arreter: L. ad, to, and restito, 
to draw back: re, back, and sto, to stand. 

ARRIVE, v. To come; to reach. F. arriver; from a, to, and rive, a 
shore. 

ARROGANCE, s. Undue assumption; haughtiness. L. arrogans, 
part, of arrogo.— See ARROGATE. 

ARROGATE, v. To assume unjustly. L. arrogo,- comp. of ab, from, 
and rogo, to demand. 

ARROW, s. A dart. Derived, through the Saxon, from L. arundo, a 
reed ; because, reeds were used for arrows. 

ARSENAL, s. A military workshop or magazine. F. arsenal: L. 
ars, an art or trade. 

ARSON, s. The malicious burning of another's property: (used by 
lawyers.) arsum, sup. of ardeo, to burn. 
C2 



ART— ASS 

ARTERY, s. A tube or canal which conveys the blood from the heart 

to all parts of the body. G. arter'w; from airo, to 
ARTICLE, s. A part of speech ; a particular part. L. articulus, a 

joint. 
ARTICULATE v. To pronounce distinctly. L. artkulo ,- from arti- 
culus, a joint, or point. 
ARTIFICE, s. Trick; stratagem. F. artifice: L. artificium; from 

arte, (abl. of ars) by art, and facio, to do. 
ARTIFICIAL, adj. Made by art; fictitious. See ARTIFICE. 
ARTILLERY, s. Missive weapons; cannon. F. artillerie,- from art, 

art, and tiralller, to shoot. 
ASCEND, v. To go upwards. L. ascendo,- from ad, towards, and 

scando, to climb. 
ASCERTAIN, 'v. To know surely. L. ad, to, and certain. 
ASCETIC, s. A disagreeable professor of religion. F. ascetique; 

G. asketekos: askeo, to vex. 
ASCRIBE, v. To attribute. L. ascribo,- ad, to, and scri bo, to write, 

or appoint : meaning, to assign an effect to a particular cause. 
ASPECT, s. Appearance; direction towards. L. aspectus; from ad, 

at, and specto, to look. 
ASPERITY, s. Roughness; severity. L. asperitas; from asper, rough. 
ASPERSE, v. To calumniate. L. aspersum, sup. of aspergo : ad, 

upon, and spargo, to sprinkle. 
ASPIRATE, s. A pronunciation formed by a full breathing ; as the 

letter h. L. aspiratus, part, of aspiro, to "breathe, or blow. 
ASPIRE, v. To desire eagerly (with to, or after.) L. aspiro : ad, to, 

and spiro, to breathe. 
ASSAFCETIDA. s. A particular drug. L. assus, unmixed, and fceti- 

dus, bad-smelling matter; that is, entirely fetid. This word is some- 
times improperly spelled asafoetida. 
ASSAIL, v. To assault. F. assailir: L. assilio: ad, at, and salio, to 

leap. 
ASSAULT, s. Attack; hostile violence. F. assaut, (formerly assault:) 

L. ad, at, and saltus, p. part, of salio, to leap. 
ASSAY, s. Examination. F. essayer, to try. 
ASSEMBLY. 5. A meeting of people. F. assemble e ,• from a, to, 

and semblahle, like ; meaning, resembling each other, or of equal 

quality. L. ad, to, and similis, like. Assembly is used in relation 

to persons only; Assemblage, chiefly in relation to things. 
ASSENT, v. To agree. L. assentio,- ad, with, and sentio, to think. 
ASSERT, s. To maintain, or affirm. L. assertum, sup. of assero: ad, 

to, and sew, to connect ; meaning, to connect words into a proposi- 
tion. 
ASSESS, s. To apportion, or tax. L. assessum, sup. of assideo,- from 

ad, concerning-, and sedeo, to sit; or ad, to, and cessum, sup. of cedo, 

to yield. 
ASSETS, s. Funds or property sufficient for a demand. F. assez, 

enough. 
ASSEVERATE, v. To declare earnestly. L. assevero : ad, to, and 

seceritas, seriousness. 
ASSIDUOUS, adj. Constant in application. L. assiduus: ad, at, and 

sedeo, to sit. 



ASS— ATM 

ASSIGN, v. To mark out ; to convey a right ;. to appoint, or depute, 

L. assigno,- from ad, for, and signo, to mark. 
ASSIGNEE, s. One to whom any thing is assigned. See ASSIGN. 
ASSIMILATE, v. To convert to the same nature ; to cause resem- 
blance. L. assimilo; from ad, to, and similis, like. 
ASSIST, v. To help. L. assisto: ad, at, and sisto, to continue. 
ASSIZE, s. Regulation: (assizes, meeting of provincial law-courts. ) 

F. assis, a sitting ; pi. assises : L. ad, at, and sedeo, to sit. 
ASSOCIATE, v. To join as a companion; to unite. L. associo: ad, 

to, and socius, a companion. 
ASSORT, v. To place in classes. F. assortir: L. ad, to, and sors, a 

kind. 
ASSUAGE, v. To mitigate; to ease. L. ad, to, and suadeo, to per- 
suade, or counsel. 
ASSUASIVE. adj. Softening. L. ad, to, and sausio, a counselling. 

See ASSUAGE. 
ASSUME, v. To take; to usurp. L. assurno; from ad, to, and sumo, 

to take. 
ASSUMPSIT. An action of assumpsit lies against a builder, or any 

other person, who has failed to perform his contract. L. assumpsit, 

(from assumo,) he undertook. 
ASSURE, v. To give confidence ; to insure. F. assurer; L. ad, tp f 

and securus, safe. 
ASTERISK, s. A mark (*) used in printing. G. asteriskos, dim. of 

aster, a star. 
ASTEROIDE. s. Something partaking of the form of a star. G. 

aster, a star, and oidos, form. 
ASTHMA, s. A difficult, short respiration. G. asthma: from ao, to 

blow. 
ASTONISH, v. To confound; to amaze. F. etonner, (formerly eston- 

ner): L. ad, at, and tono, to thunder. 
ASTOUND, v. To astonish, (a vulgarism.) F. etonner, (formerly 

estonner.) See ASTONISH. 
ASTRAL, adj. Relating to the stars. L. astrum, a star. 
ASTRINGENT, adj. Contracting. L. astringens, part, of astringo; 

from ad, to, and stringo, to truss up, or bind. 
ASTROLABE, s. An instrument formerly used for ascertaining lati- 
tudes. G. astron, a star, and lamhano, to take. 
ASTROLOGY, s. The pretended science of foretelling by the stars. 

L. astrologia: G. astron, a star, and logos, a discourse. 
ASTRONOMY, s. Knowledge of the heavenly bodies. G. astrono- 

mia; from astron, a star, and nomos, a law or rule. 
ASTUTE, adj. Subtle; cunning. L. astutus, from astus, craft. 
ASYLUM, s. Place of safety. L. asylum.- G. a, without, and sulon, 

part, of sulao, to plunder: meaning, free from robbery, or hurt. 
ATHEIST, s. One who denies the existence of God. G. a, without, 

and Theos, God. 
ATHLETIC, adj. Of a strong and vigorous body. L. athleticus .■ G. 

athletes, a wrestler; athleo, to contend. 
ATMOSPHERE, s. The air which surrounds the earth. G. atmos, 

vapour, and sphaira, a sphere. 



ATO—AUG 

ATOM. s. A very small particle. G. atomos; from a, not, and temno, 

to cut: meaning', that it cannot be divided. 
ATROCITY, s. Horrible wickedness. L. atrocitas; atrox, cruel: ater, 

black. 
ATROPHY, s. Debility, for want of due nourishment. G. atrophia,- 

from a, not, and trepho, to nourish. 
ATTACH, v. To join ; to arrest. F. attacker: L. ad, at or to, and 

factum, sup. of tango, to touch. 
ATTACK, v. To assault an enemy; to begin a contest. F, attaquer: 

L. ad, to or against, and tactus, p. part, of tango, to touch. 
ATTAIN, v. To procure; to reach. L. attineo: ad, to, and teneo, to 

hold fast. 
ATTAINDER, s. By attainder, the estate of the convicted person 

reverts to his superior lord; and his blood is, in a legal sense, so cor- 
rupted, as to be no longer inheritable. See ATTAINT. 
ATTAINT, v. To disgrace; particularly, by conviction of felony or 

treason. L. attinctus, p. part, ofattingo: ad, to, and tingo, to stain. 
ATTEMPT, v. To endeavour. L. attento; from ad, at, and tento, 

to try. 
ATTEND, v. To give attention, or aid; to be present at. L. aitendo; 

from ad, to, and tendo, to stretch out. 
ATTENUATE, v. To make thin, or slender. L. attenuo,- comp. of 

ad, to, and tenuis, slender. 
ATTEST, v. To sign as a witness; to bear witness. L. attestor,- from 

ad, to, and testis, a witness. 
ATTIRE, v. Te dress; to habit; to array. F. attirer,- tirer, to draw: 

L. ad, to, and traho, to draw. 
ATTRACT, v. To draw towards. L. attractum, sup. of attraho; from 

ad, towards, and traho, to draw. 
ATTRIB'UTE. v. To ascribe. L. attribuo: ad, to, and tribuo, to give. 
AT'TRIBUTE. s. The thing attributed, or belonging, to another. 

See the verb. 
ATTRITION, s. Act of wearing things by rubbing. L. attritio: ad, 

against, and tritus, p. part, of tero, to rub. 
AUCTION, s. A mode of sale. L. audio: audits, p. part, of augeo, 

to increase, [from a small, to a greater, price.] 
AUDACIOUS, adj. Impudently daring. F. audacieux: L. audacis, 

gen. of audax, bold ; audeo, to dare. 
AUDIBLE, adj. Loud enough to be heard. L. audibilis; from audio, 

to hear. 
AUDIENCE, s. The act of hearing ; hearers. F. audience : L. au- 

diens, part, of audio, to hear. 
AUDIT, v. To review or examine the accounts of another. See 

AUDITOR. 
AUDITOR, s. A hearer; an examiner of public accounts. L. auditor; 

from audio, to hear. 
ATI FAIT. "He is quite au fait, in those things;" a French phrase, 

implying a certain familiarity with, or mastery of a subject. 
AUGMENT, v. To increase; to become larger, or more. L. augmen, 

an increase : augeo, to create, or increase. 
AUGUR, v. To conjecture by signs; to portend. L. augur, a sooth- 
sayer. 



AUG— AVE 

AUGUST', adj. Great; magnificent. L. augustus, venerable, noble. 
AU'GUST. s. The eighth month. L. Augustus Caesar. ■ See AU- 
GUST'. 
AURICULAR, adj. Within the sense or reach of hearing; secret. L. 

auricularis: auris, the ear. 
AURIST. s. An ear-surgeon. L. auris, an ear. 

AURORA BOREALIS. s. A luminous meteor, peculiar to the north- 
ern latitudes. L. aurora, the morning, (meaning, light,) and bore- 

alis, belonging to the north. 
AUSPICE, s. An omen; protection. L. auspicium,- from auspex, a 

soothsayer or diviner, who observes the motion and' number of birds : 

from avis, a bird, and specio, to behold. 
AUSPICIOUS, adj. Having omens of success; favourable; kind. See 

AUSPICE. 
AUSTERE, adj. Harsh; of a distant manner. L. austerus: G.austeros: 

from auo, to dry up. 
AUSTRAL, adj. Southern. L. australis; from ouster, the south. 
AUTHENTIC, adj. Proceeding from sufficient authority. L. authen- 

ticus .- G. authentes, an author. 
AUTHOR, s. One who first effects, or produces any thing. L. auctor; 

from auctus, p. part, of augeo, to increase, or create. 
AUTHORITY, s. Testimony; influence ; power. From author: be- 
cause, authority, in its various significations, must proceed from its 

proper source, — the author. 
AUTOBIOGRAPHY, s. Memoirs of any person, written by himself. 

G. autos, one's-self, and BIOGRAPHY. 
AUTOCRAT, s. An absolute prince. G. autos, one's-self, and kratos, 

power. 
AUTOGRAPH, s. A particular person's own handwriting; or the 

original manuscript, in opposition to a copy. G. autographon,- from 

autos, one's-self, and grapho, to write. 
AUTOMATON, s'. A machine, which has a power of motion within 

itself. G. automaton,- autos, itself, and maomai, to be moved. 
AUXILIARY, s. An assistant. L. auxiliarius: G. auxo, to increase. 
AVAIL, v. To aid in promoting ; to profit. L. valeo, to be strong, 

or to serve. 
AVALANCHES, s. Prodigious snow-balls, that frequently roll down 

the mountains in Savoy. F. avalanches: avaler, to fall down. 
JLVANT-COURIER. s. A messenger, sent forward to announce the 

approach of some great personage. F. avant, before, and courier. 
AVARICE, s. Insatiable desire of wealth. L. avaritia; from aveo, 

to covet. 
AVENGE, v. To punish in behalf of another. F. venger: L. vinco, 

to conquer or subdue. Revenge is to punish in behalf of one's-self. 
AVENUE, s. A way of approach. F. avenue: L. ad, to, and venio, 

to come. 
AVER. v. To declare solemnly. F. averer : L. ad, to, and verum, 

the truth. 
AVERAGE, v. To fix one degree of value on things of various quali- 
ties. L. averagium: ad, to, verum, truth, and ago, to bring. 
AVERSE, adj. Unfavourable; opposed. L. aversus. See AVERT. . 



AVE— BAL 

AVERT, v. To turn from; to turn aside. L. averto; comp. of a, from, 

and verto, to turn. 
AVIARY, s. A place inclosed for birds. L. avis, a bird. 
AVIDITY, s. Greediness; eagerness. L. aviditas: aveo, to desire. 
AVOCATION, s. Business which calls a person away from his usual 

employment. L. avocatio,- a, from, and voco, to call. 
AVOID, v. To shun; to decline; to escape. See VOID. 
AVOIRDUPOIS, adj. A kind of weight, having- 16 ounces in a pound. 

F. avoir du poids, to have just weight : probably, the statute, mer- 
cantile weight, introduced into England, by the Normans. 
AVOW. v. To declare with confidence; to own or confess. F. avouer: 

L. advoveo: ad, to, and voveo, to vow. 
AVULSION, s. Act of pulling one thing from another. L. avulsio : 

a, from, and vulsus, p. part, of velh, to pull or pluck. 
AXIOM, s. A proposition evident at the first view, and which cannot 

be made plainer by demonstration. G. axioma,- from axio-o, to be 

thought worthy [of belief.] 
AXIS. s. The line, real or imaginary, that passes through any thing, 

and on which it may revolve. L. axis : G. axon,- ago, to conduct. 
AZOTE, s. Nitrogen; that part of the atmospheric air which will not 

support life. F. azote : G. a, not, and zao, to live. 
AZURE, adj. Light blue. F. azur, a sky-coloured mineral. 



B. 

BACCHANALIAN, s. A riotous, drunken person. L. bacchanalia, 

the feast of Bacchus, the god of wine. 
BADINAGE, s. Playful conversation. F. badinage,- from badin, wag- 
gish, merry. 
BAGATELLE, s. A trifle. F. bagatelle, dim. of bagage, goods of 

any kind. 
BAIL. s. In law, is derived from the F. bailler, to deliver; because the 

defendant is bailed or delivered to his sureties, upon their giving 

security for his appearance ; and is supposed to continue in their 

friendly custody, instead of going to jail. 
BALANCE, s. An instrument for weighing ; difference of weight or 

amount. F. balance: L. bilanx: bis, double, and lanx, a broad 

plate, or dish. 
BALE. s. A large bundle. F. bale, a ball. 
BALISTA. s. A warlike instrument, anciently used to throw stones 

and darts. L. balista,- from the G. ballo, to throw. 
BALL. s. An entertainment of dancing. F. bal: G. ballizo, to dance; 

from ballo, to throw, (meaning the legs.) 
BALLOON, s. A spheroid, formed of silk ; which, when inflated by 

hydrogen gas, or rarefied air, ascends. F. balloon,- from bale, a ball. 
BALLOT, s. A mode of giving votes. F. balote, a little ball used at 

elections. Balloting balls are of different colours; a white ball denotes 

approbation; a black one, dislike. In the United States, small tickets 

arc used. 



BAN—BEN 

Bj JE2;TA 5 ° ne Wh ° Cann0t f ay his debts ' Saxo "> ham, a heap 
(alluding to the money accumulated in banks,) and T Z,„* Vt 
part, of rumpo, to break. "«""»,; and L. ^^^ p , 

BAPTIZE, v. To administer baptism • to christpn n i *• 
wash, dip, or besprinkle. P ' Cnnsten ' G - ^aphzo, to 

BARBAROUS, adj. Uncivilized? cruel. L. barbarus- C hn.h 
foreign. The Greeks and Romans applied t£to i denote S 

« A^SS 2 *^' aS - We d ° at the P"*** ti me. en0tC Want 

teard "*' Pomted as an ^^ «^ a fishing-hook. L. barba, a 

B 1S" S ' Amanwhoshav esbeardsforhire. F. barbier: L. «*, 

pm o;bi he „f o a un pmr ! pnncipIe - G - and L - ** ^^ 

BATON. 5. A marshal's staff. F baton • t ?>«*, „ + u . 
RATTURv o a * x-l ^7 • union: jl. oatuo, to beat. 

B l A make Y ' * T ° bl6SS - ^ ^^ fi ™ **** ^ P p y , and facto, 
|B ™Sppy" Su P eriorde ^- of happiness. L. fcrffc^ from 

*3^ * Wcand 

BEAUX ESPRITS. Men of wit. F ^ n , ^ 

and esprits, pi. of espnY, a spin™ ' pI " ° f 6eau ' P leasant > 

BEEF. 5. Flesh of an ox, bull, or cow. F. bceuf- T /W« 

605, an ox, bull, or cow /- L " 6om > S en ' of 

B /^f„rfo^° R - * °- wh » infers a benefit. L . fe w , well , and 
i 3E sI E BENEFACTp C R leSiaStiCaI '"* L *««**"». an obligation. 
:3E S-o FI ^fBENiFAC d T i OR neSOOd - L ' ***** V^oUenc 
' S NE BjNE S FACT OR COnfOTedi . adranta ^ i P TOnt - L ' J ^«»»- 
,E XanfXtotish WelI ' inCUnediCharitable - »■ *»«*»**•* 



AVE— BAL 

AVERT, v. To turn from; to turn aside. L. averto; comp. of a, from, 

and verto, to turn. 
AVIARY, s. A place inclosed for birds. L. avis, a bird. 
AVIDITY, s. Greediness; eagerness. L. aviditas: aveo, to desire. 
AVOCATION, s. Business which calls a person away from his usual 

employment. L. avocatio,- a, from, and voco, to call. 
AVOID, v. To shun; to decline; to escape. See VOID. 
AVOIRDUPOIS, adj. A kind of weight, having- 16 ounces in a pound. 

F. avoir dupoids, to have just weight : probably, the statute, mer- 
cantile weight, introduced into England, by the Normans. 
AVOW. v. To declare with confidence; to own or confess. F. avouer: 

L. advoveo: ad, to, and voveo, to vow. 
AVULSION, s. Act of pulling one thing from another. L. avulsio: 

a, from, and vulsus, p. part, of velh, to pull or pluck. 
AXIOM, s. A proposition evident at the first view, and which cannot 

be made plainer by demonstration. G. axioma,- from axio-o, to be 

thought worthy [of belief.] 
AXIS. s. The line, real or imaginary, that passes through any thing, 

and on which it may revolve. L. axis : G. axon,- ago, to conduct. 
AZOTE, s. Nitrogen; that part of the atmospheric air which will not 

support life. F. azote : G. a, not, and zao, to live. 
AZURE, adj. Light blue. F. azur, a sky-coloured mineral. 



B. 

BACCHANALIAN. 5. A riotous, drunken person. L. Bacchanalia, 

the feast of Bacchus, the god of wine. 
BADINAGE, s. Playful conversation. F. badinage; from badin, wag- 
gish, merry. 
BAGATELLE, s. A trifle. F. bagatelle, dim. of bagage, goods of 

any kind. 
BAIL. s. In law, is derived from the F. bailler, to deliver; because the 

defendant is bailed or delivered to his sureties, upon their giving 

security for his appearance ; and is supposed to continue in their 

friendly custody, instead of going to jail. 
BALANCE, s. An instrument for weighing ; difference of weight or 

amount. F. balance: L. bilanx: bis, double, and lanx, a broad 

plate, or dish. 
BALE. s. A large bundle. F. bale, a ball. 
BALISTA. s. A warlike instrument, anciently used to throw stones 

and darts. L. balista,- from the G. ballo, to throw. 
BALL. s. An entertainment of dancing. F. bal: G. ballizo, to dance; 

from ballo, to throw, (meaning the legs.) 
BALLOON, s. A spheroid, formed of silk ; which, when inflated by 

hydrogen gas, or rarefied air, ascends. F. balloon,- from bale, a ball. 
BALLOT. 5. A mode of giving votes. F. balote, a little ball used at 

elections. Balloting balls are of different colours; a white ball denotes 

approbation; a black one, dislike. In the United States, small tickets 

are used. 



BAN— BEN 

BANKRUPT, s. One who cannot pay his debts. Saxon, banc, a heap, 

(alluding- to the money accumulated in banks,) and L. ruptus, p. 

part, of rumpo, to break. 
BAPTIZE, v. To administer baptism ; to christen. G. baptize, to 

wash, dip, or besprinkle. 
BARBAROUS, adj. Uncivilized; cruel. L. barbarus: G. barbaros, 

foreign. The Greeks and Romans applied this term to denote want 

of civilization, as we do at the present time. 
BARBED, adj. Pointed as an arrow, or a fishing-hook. L. barba, a 

beard. 
BARBER, s. A man who shaves beards for hire. F. barbier: L. barba, 

a beard. 
BAROMETER, s. An instrument for ascertaining the pressure of the 

atmosphere. G. baros, weight, and metreo, to measure. 
BASE. s. The lower part, as of a column. See BASIS. 
BASE. adj. Mean, dishonest. See ABASE. 
BASILISK, s. A kind of serpent, which is said to affright away by 

hissing, and to kill by looking. G. basiliskos,- basileus, a -king*. 
BASIS, s. The foundation? first principle. G. and L. basis, the lower 

part or base of a pillar. 
BATON, s. A marshal's staff. F. baton .♦ L. batuo, to beat. 
BATTERY, s. Act of battering ; a number of cannon used for batter- 
ing, or the frame upon which they are mounted ; a violent striking; 

or laying hold of any person. F. batterie : L. batuo, to strike. 
BAWL. v. To cry aloud. L. balo, to bleat as a sheep. 
BEAT. v. To strike, or conquer. L. batuo, to strike. 
BEATIFY, v. To bless. L. beatifico; from beatus, happy, and facto, 

to make. 
BEATITUDE, s. Superior degree of happiness. L. beatitudo; from 

beatus, happy. 
BE Jill MONDE. The gay or fashionable world. F. beau, fine, and 
monde, the world. 
I BEAUX E SPRITS. Men of wit. F. beaux, pi. of beau, pleasant, 

and esprits, pi. of esprit, a spirife. 
1 BEEF. s. Flesh of an ox, bull, or cow. F. boeuf: L. bovis, gen. of 
bos, an ox, bull, or cow. 

I BELLES LETTRES s. Polite Literature, (with the,) pronounced 

bel-letter. F. les belles lettres, polite learning. 
[i BELLIGERENT, s. A party in a war. L. belligerans, part, of belli- 

gero: helium, war, and gero, to cany on. 
I; BENEDICTION, s. A blessing. L. benedictio; bene, well, and dictio, 
I an expression: dico, to say. 
I! BENEFACTOR, s. One who confers a benefit. L. bene, well, and 

I I facto, to do. 

{ BENEFICE, s. An ecclesiastical living. L. benejicium, an obligation. 

See BENEFACTOR. 
' BENEFICENT, adj. Kind; doing good. L. benefaciens: part, of bene- 

faeio. See BENEFACTOR. 
' BENEFIT, s. Favour conferred; advantage; profit. L. benejicium. 

See BENEFACTOR. 
I BENEVOLENT, adj. Well-inclined; charitable. L. bmevolens; bene, 
I well, and volo, to wish. 



BEN— BOI 

BENIGNITY, s. Graciousness 5 goodness. L. benignltas ; from bene, 

well, happily. 
BESTIAL, adj. Resembling a beast; belonging to the class of beasts; 

beastly; carnal. L. bestia, a beast. 
BIAS. s. Inclination, either of matter or mind. F. biais, an oblique 

line,, or slope : G. bia, force. 
BIBBER, s. A tippler. L. bibo, to drink. 
BIBLE, s. The sacred volume. G. biblion, a book: meaning, by way 

of eminence, The Book. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY, s. Histoiy of books. G. biblos, a book, and grapho, 

to write. 
BIBULOUS, adj. Absorbing moisture. L. bibulus,- from bibo, to drink. 
BIENNIAL, adj. Continuing two years ; occurring every two years. 

L. biennis: from bis, double, and annus, a year. 
BIFEROUS. adj. Bearing twice a year. L. biferus; bis, twice, and 

fero, to bear. 
BIGAMY, s. This word originally signified the having married twice; 

it now denotes the crime of having two wives, or of having two 

husbands. G. bis, double, and gameo, to marry. 
BINARY, adj. By couples. L. binus, • from bis, double. 
BIOGRAPHY, s. Personal history. G. bios, life, and grapho, to write. 
BIPAROUS. adj. Having two at a birth. L. bis, double, and pario, 

to bring forth. 
BIPARTITE, adj. Having two parts. L. bipartitus, part, of bipartior: 

bis, twice, and partior, to divide. 
BIPED, s. An animal having two feet. L. bipedis, gen. ofbipes,- bis, 

double, and pes, a foot. 
BISCUIT, s. Hard, bread. F. biscuit: L. bis, twice, and F. cult, part. 

of cuire, to bake. 
BISECT, v. To divide into two parts. L. binus, by couples, and seco, 

to cut. 
BISHOP, s. One who is placed over several churches. Derived, 

through the Saxon, from L. episcopus : G. epi, over, and skopeo, to , 

look. 
BISSEXTILE, adj. Relating to every fourth, or leap year. L. bis- 

sextilis. In the Roman Calendar, both the 24th and 25th of February 

were denominated sexto Kalendos Martins,- hence, the reduplicative 

term, bis, twice, is prefixed to sextilis, which relates to the sixth of 

the Kalends of March. See Adams's Rom. Ant. 330, 331. 
BITUMINOUS, adj. Having the qualities of bitumen ; pitchy. L. 

bitumen, a kind of fat clay or slime, like pitch. 
BLANCH, v. To whiten. F. blanchir,- from blanc, white. 
BLAND, adj. Mild; gentle. L. blandus, kind. 
BLANDISHMENT, s. Act of fondness; caresses. L. blanditia. See 

BLAND. 
BLANK, s. A space not written upon.; unproductive result of a lottery 

chance. F. blanc, white: that is, having the white paper visible. 
BLASPHEME- v. To speak irreverently of God. G. blasphemeo; 

Max, impious, and phemi, to say. 
BOIL. v. To be agitated by heat. F. bouillir: L. bullio ,• from bulla, 

a bubble. 






BOI— BUL 

BOIL. 5. A vulgar term for a bile. From the verb, to boil ; alluding 

to the form of a bile, — that of a bubble. 
BOLUS, s. A large pill. L. bolus, a lump. 
BOMB. s. A hollow ball, filled with gunpowder. F. bombe: L, 

bombus, a buzzing noise. 
BOMBAST, s. Inflated language. L. bombus, a buzzing noise. 
BONA FIDE. Actually; really. The phrase is also used adjectively, 

for actual, real. L. bona, (from bonus,) in good, and fide, (from 

fides,) faith. 
BON MOT. A witty expression. F. bon, good, and mot, a word, or 

saying. 
BONNE BOUCHE. A nice or sweet morsel. F. bonne, fern, of bon, 

good, and bouche, the mouth. 
BON VIVANT. A luxurious person. F. bon, well, and vivant, part. 

of vivre, to live. 
BOTANY, s. The science of plants. G. botane, an herb. 
BOUNTY, s. Generosity; pecuniary encouragement. F. bpnte - X = 

bonitas; bonus, good. 
BRACE, v. To make firm. F. embrasser, to embrace : en, in, and 

bras, an arm. L. &Vz, and brachium. 
BRACE, s. That which holds any thing tight ; a couple; two in com- 

pany. See the verb. 
BRACELET, s. An ornament for the arm. F. bracelet ,• from bras, 

an arm. 
BREVET, s. A brevet-officer is one, who holds a command higher in 

rank, than that expressed in his commission. F. from the L. brevis, 

short. 
BREVIARY, s. An abridgment ; a book containing the daily service 

of the Roman church. F. breviare .- L. breviarium : brevis, short, 
BREVITY, s. Conciseness. L. brevitas,- brevis, short. 
BRIDE, s. A woman recently married. F. bride, part, of brider, to 

restrain. 
BRIDLE, s. The reins, &c. used for governing a horse. F. bride; 

from brider, to restrain. 
BRIEF, s. An abridged writing; a lawyer's written instructions, 

F. brief. See the adjective. 
BRIEF, adj. Concise. F. brief: L. brevis, short. 
BRUMAL, adj. Belonging to winter. L. brumalis ; G. brugmos, a 

roaring noise. 
BRUNETT. s. A pretty female, with a brown complexion. F. bru- 
nette, (dim. of brun, brown,) a little girl who is brown. 
BRUTE, s. An animal without reason. L. brutus, insensible, irra- 
tional : G. barutes, heaviness; baros, weight. 
BUCOLIC, adj. Pastoral. G. boukalika; from boukolos, a cowherd. 
BUFFET, s. A cup-board ; a place at a public entertainment, where 

refreshments are kept. F. buffet, a cup-board. 
BULBOUS, adj. Of a round shape, as the root of a tulip. L. bulbus, 

an onion, or any round, laminated root. 
BULL. s. A papal mandate. F. bulle,- from the L. bullae, ornaments, 

of the figure of a heart, formerly worn by the nobility of the western 

empire, and afterwards attached to the decrees of the popes. 
D 



BEN— EOI 

BENIGNITY, s. Graciousness ; goodness. L. benigniias ; from bene, 

well, happily. 
BESTIAL, adj. Resembling a beast; belonging to the class of beasts; 

beastly; carnal. L. bestia, a beast. 
BIAS. s. Inclination, either of matter or mind. F. biais, an oblique 

line, or slope : G. bia, force. 
BIBBER, s. A tippler. L. bibo, to drink. 
BIBLE, s. The sacred volume. G. biblion, a book: meaning", by way 

of eminence, The Book. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY, s. Histoiy of books. G. bibbs, a book, and grapho, 

to write. 
BIBULOUS, adj. Absorbing" moisture. L. blbulus,- from bibo, to drink. 
BIENNIAL, adj. Continuing- two years ; occurring- every two years. 

L. biennis: from bis, double, and annus, a year. 
BIFEROUS. adj. Bearing- twice a year. L. biferus; bis, twice, and 

fero, to bear. 
BIGAMY, s. This word originally signified the having" married twice; 

it now denotes the crime of having- two wives, or of having" two 

husbands. G. bis, double, and gameo, to many. 
BINARY, adj. By couples. L. binus; from bis, double. 
BIOGRAPHY, s. Personal history. G. bios, life, and grapho, to write. 
BIPAROUS. adj. Having two at a birth. L. bis, double, and pario, 

to bring forth. 
BIPARTITE, adj. Having two parts. ~L.bipartitus,-psLYt.of:bipartior: 

bis, twice, and partial*, to divide. 
BIPED, s. An animal having two feet. L. bipedis, gen. of bipes,- bis, 

double, and pes, a foot. 
BISCUIT, s. Hard bread. F. biscuit: L. bis, twice, and F. cult, part. 

of euire, to bake. 
BISECT, v. To divide into two parts. L. binus, by couples, and seco, 

to cut. 
BISHOP, s. One who is placed over several churches. Derived, 

through the Saxon, from L. episcopus : G. epi, over, and skopeo, to 

look. 
BISSEXTILE, adj. Relating to every fourth, or leap year. L. bis- 

sextilis. In the Roman Calendar, both the 24th and 25th of February 

were denominated sexto Kalendos Atari ius,- hence, the reduplicative 

term, bis, twice, is prefixed to sextilis, which relates to the sixth of 

the Kalends of March. See Adams's Rom. Ant. 330, 331. 
BITUMINOUS, adj. Having the qualities of bitumen ; pitchy. L. 

bitumen, a kind of fat clay or slime, like pitch. 
BLANCH, v. To whiten. F. blanchir,- from blanc, white. 
BLAND, adj. Mild; gentle. L. bhndus, kind. 
BLANDISHMENT, s. Act of fondness; caresses. L. blanditia. See 

BLAND. 
BLANK, s. A space not written upon.; unproductive result of a lottery 

chance. F. blanc, white: that is, having the white paper visible. 
BLASPHEME, v. To speak irreverently of God. G. blasphemeo ,- 

Max, impious, and phemi, to say. 
BOIL. v. To be agitated by heat. F. bouillir: L. bullio ; from bulla, 

a bubble. 



BOI— BUL 

BOIL. s. A vulgar term for a bile. From the verb, to boil ; alluding 

to the form of a bile, — that of a bubble. 
BOLUS, s. A large pill. L. bolus, a lump. 
BOMB. s. A hollow ball, filled with gunpowder. F. bombe: L 

bombus, a buzzing noise. 
BOMBAST, s. Inflated language. L. bombus, a buzzing noise. 
BONA FIDE. Actually; really. The phrase is also used adjectively, 

for actual, real. L. bona, (from bonus,) in good, and fide, (from 

fides,) faith. 
BON MOT. A witty expression. F. bon, good, and mot, a word, or 

saying. 
BONNE BOUCHE. A nice or sweet morsel. F. bonne, fem. of bon, 

good, and bouche, the mouth. 
BON VIVANT. A luxurious person. F. bon, well, and vivant, part. 

of vivre, to live. 
BOTANY, s. The science of plants. G. botane, an herb, 
BOUNTY, s. Generosity; pecuniary encouragement. F. bpnte ; L= 

bonitas; bonus, good. 
BRACE, v. To make firm. F. embrasser, to embrace : en, in, and 

bras, an arm. L. iw, and brachium. 
BRACE, s. That which holds any thing tight ; a couple; two in com- 
pany. See the verb. 
BRACELET, s. An ornament for the arm. F. bracelet ,• from bras, 

an arm. 
BREVET, s. A brevet-officer is one, who holds a command higher in 

rank, than that expressed in his commission. F. from the L. brevis, 

short. 
BREVIARY, s. An abridgment ; a book containing the daily service 

of the Roman church. F. breviare .- L. breviarium : brevis, short, 
BREVITY, s. Conciseness. L. brevitas,- brevis, short. 
BRIDE, s. A woman recently married. F. bride, part, of brider, to 

restrain. 
BRIDLE, s. The reins, &c. used for governing a horse. F. bride ; 

from brider, to restrain. 
BRIEF, s. An abridged writing; a lawyer's written instructions, 

F. brief. See the adjective. 
BRIEF, adj. Concise. F. brief: L. brevis, short. 
BRUMAL, adj. Belonging to winter. L. brumalis : G. brugmos, a 

roaring noise. 
BRUNETT. s. A pretty female, with a brown complexion. F. bru- 
nette, (dim. of brun, brown,) a little girl who is brown. 
BRUTE, s. An animal without reason. L. brutus, insensible, irra- 
tional : G. barutes, heaviness; baros, weight. 
BUCOLIC, adj. Pastoral. G. boukolika,- from boukolos, a cowherd. 
BUFFET, s. A cup-board ; a place at a public entertainment, where 

refreshments are kept. F. buffet, a cup-board. 
BULBOUS, adj. Of a round shape, as the root of a tulip. L. bulbus, 

an onion, or any round, laminated root. 
BULL. s. A papal mandate. F. bulk; from the L. bullae, ornaments, 

of the figure of a heart, formerly worn by the nobility of the western 

empire, and afterwards attached to the decrees of the popes. 
D 



BUL— CAL 

BULLETIN, s. A military, or other public document. F. bulletin; 

bulle, authentic. See BULL. 
BUOY. s. A piece of floating wood or cork, used by mariners and 

fishermen. F. bouie? bois, wood. 
BUOYANT, adj. Floating- ; light. See BUOY. 
BURSAR, s. The treasurer of a college. L. bursarius; from bursa, 

a purse. 
BUTLER, s. A servant who takes care of the wines, and superintends 

the table. F. bouteillier,- from bouteille, a bottle. 



C 

CACOCHYMY. s. An unhealthy state of the animal juices. G. kako- 

chumia; from kakos, bad, and chumos, juice. 
CACOETHES LOQUENDl. A too great fondness of speaking ; 

loquacity. L. caco'ethes, an evil habit, loquendi, of speaking: cacoe- 

thes is from G. kakos, bad, and ethos, a habit. 
CACOETHES SCR1BENDI. A too great fondness of writing for 

the public eye. L. caco'ethes, an evil habit, scribendi, of writing : 

caco'e'thes is from G. kakos, bad, and ethos, a habit. 
CACOPHONY, s. A harsh sound of words. G. kakophonia; kakos, 

bad, and phonia, a sound. 
CADAVEROUS, adj. Looking like a corpse. L. cadaver, a dead 

body: cado, to fall. 
CADENCE, s. Fall of the voice, &c. F. cadence: L. cadens, part, of 

cado, to fall. 
CADET, s. A person serving in expectation of an office. F. cadet -• 

L. cado, to be attached to. 
CiESURA. s. A term in prosody, referring to a pause. L. caesura,- 

from csedo, to cut. 
CMTERA BE SUNT. The remainder is wanting. L. cxtera, pi. of 

cseter, the rest, desunt, (from desum,) are wanting. 
CJETERIS PARIBUS. Other things being equal. L. abl. of cseter, 

and par. 
CALAMITY, s. Sudden misfortune. L. calamitas,- from calamus, an 

arrow: because, a calamitous misfortune comes with the swiftness of 

an arrow. 
CALCAREOUS, adj. Of the nature of lime. See CALX. 
CALCINE, v. To decompose by burning. F. calciner. See CALX. 
CALCULATE, v. To numerate; to conjecture. L. calculus, a pebble: 

by which, numbers were reckoned, by persons ignorant of arith- 
metic. 
CALENTURE, s. A distemper peculiar to sailors in hot climates. L. 

caleo, to be hot. 
CALIBER, s. The diameter of a gun's bore. F. calibre, rate or size. 
CALIDITY. s. Heat. L. caliditas .- calidus, hot. 
CALLOUS, adj. Insensible. L. callus, hardness, or hard flesh. 
CALLOW, adj. Without feathers. L. callus, roughness: very young- 
birds are unpleasingly rough, by reason of their projecting quills. 
CALORIC, s. The modern chemical name of heat. F. calorique : L- 

calor, heat. 



CAL— CAN 

CALORIFIC, adj. Producing heat. L. calorijicus ; co.hr, heat, and 
facto, to make. 

CALORIMETER, s. An instrument for ascertaining the quantity of 
heat disengaged from any substance that may be an object of expe- 
riment. L. color, heat, and G. metreo, to measure. 

CALUMNIATE, v. To slander. L. calumnior ,- from calumnia, a 
false accusation. 

CALX. s. A burned substance. L. calx, burned lime. 

CALYX, s. The cup of a plant ; that part which surrounds and sup- 
ports the petals. L. calyx: G. kalux, that in which any thing is 
enclosed. 

CAMERA-OBSCURA. s. A species of optical machine. L. camera, 
a chamber, and obscura, dark. 

CAMP. s. A number of military tents. F. camp : L. campus, a field. 

CAMPAIGN, s. The period of an army's operations in the field, dur- 
ing one season. F. campagne : L. campus, a field. 

CAMPESTRAL, adj. Growing in fields. L. campestris,- campus, a 
field. 

CANAILLE, s. The very lowest of the people ; the rabble. F. ca- 
naille,- from canal, the kennel of a street : alluding to their filth. 

CANCEL, v. To obliterate. F. canceller: L. concetti, lattice-windows: 
the marks in cancelled writings are often crossed in the form of such 
windows. 

CANCER, s. A corroding, incurable sore; (also, a sign of the zodiac;) 
cancer, a crab : thus, comparing the gradual decay of the flesh, to the 
slow motion of a crab. 

CANDID, adj. Sincere. L. candidus,- candeo, to shine. 

CANDIDATE. . s. A suitor for any place of honour or profit. L. can- 
didatus; from candidus, white: alluding to the custom, amongst the 
Romans, of his wearing a white garment. 

CANINE, adj. Relating or belonging to a dog. L. caninus,- canis, 
a dog. 

CANISTER, s. A case, now made generally of tin ; but formerly of 
canes. L. canistrum,- canna, a cane : G. kanna. 

CANKER, s. A cancerous sore. L. cancer, a crab. See CANCER. 

CANNIBAL, s. A person who eats human flesh. L. canis, a dog. 

CANNON, s. A great-gun. F. canon, formerly cannon : L. canna, 
a large tube. 

CANON', s. A church law. G. kanon, a rule. 

CANONIZE, v. To declare any person a saint. From canon,- because 
his name is placed in the canon for observing festivals. 

CANT, v . To preach or talk as a hypocrite. L. canto, to repeat the 
same thing often : cano, to sing. 

CANTO, s. Part of a poem. This word is derived, through the Italian, 
from the L. cantus, a song: meaning, as much as would be sufficient 
for a song, or for recital in one act. 
, CANTON, v. To distribute an army over a district. F. canton, a, 
province. 

CANVASS, or CANVAS, s. A kind of cloth. F. cunevos: L. canna- 
bis, hemp. 

CANVASS, v. To solicit ; to examine. Etymology unknown : no ra- 
tional affinity appears with canvass, cloth. 



CAP— CAR 

CAPABLE, adj. Having a capacity for any particular object. F. ca* 

pable : L. capio, to take, or contain. 
CAPACIOUS, adj. Capable of containing- much; internally large. L. 

capax; from capio. See CAPABLE. 
CAPIAS AD RESPONDENDUM. A writ issued to take the de- 
fendant, that he may be answerable to the plaintiff. L. capias, that 

you take, (from capio,) ad, for the purpose of, respondendum, (from 

respondeo,) answering-. 
CAPIAS AD SATISFACIENDUM. A writ issued, after judgment, 

to arrest the defendant, until he shall satisfy the plaintiff. L. capias, 

that you take, ad, for the purpose of, satisfaciendum, (from salisfa- 

cio,) satisfying. 
CAPILLARY, adj. Resembling hairs; relating to very small tubes. L. 

capillaris; capillus, a hair. 
CAPITAL, adj. Affecting the head, or life ; chief. F. capital: L 

capitalis: caput, the head. 
CAPITAL, s. Head of a pillar; chief town; stock of a trader or con> 

pany* See the adjective. 
CAPITATION, s. A capitation-tax is laid on the person. L. caput. 

the head. 
CAPITULATE, v. To surrender by agreement. L. capitulatim, by 

heads, or chapters ; caput, the head : the terms of surrender being 

written in the form of distinct heads or articles. 
CAPRICORN, s. A sign of the zodiac. L. capricornus.- caper, a goat, 

and cornu, a horn. 
CAPTAIN, s. A commander; a term generally restricted to an officer 

who commands a single company of soldiers, or a single ship. F. 

capitaine .• L. caput, the head. 
CAPTION, s. An arrest, &c. L. captio. See CAPTIVE. 
CAPTIOUS, adj. Cavilling. L. captiosus: capto, to surprise, or catch ; 

capio, to take. 
CAPTIVATE, v. To delight highly; figuratively, to enslave. L. cap- 

tivo. See CAPTIVE. 
CAPTIVE, s. One taken in war ; a prisoner. L. captivus: captus, 

(p. part, of capio,) taken. 
CAPTOR, s. He that takes a prisoner, or prize. L. capio, to take. 

See CAPTIVE. 
CAPUCHIN, s. A monk of the reformed order of Franciscans. F. 

capucin: from capuce, or capuchon, a cowl, or large hood; by which, 

that order are particularly distinguished. 
CARBON, s. The basis of charcoal. F. chorion : L. carho, a coal. 
CARBUNCLE, s. A jewel which shines in the dark ; a red spot, or 

pimple on the body. L. carbunculus, dim. of carbo, a coal. 
CARD. s. Thick paper, formed of several layers pasted together. F. 

carte** L. charta, (pronounced carta,) paper: also, an instrument 

used in combing wool, &c. ; from the Dutch kaarde. 
CARDINAL, adj. Principal, L. cardinalis, belonging to a hinge - n 

cardo, a hinge ; because, inferior things are imagined to depend or 

turn on the cardinal, as a door upon its hinge. 
CARDINAL, s. One of the chief governors of the Roman church. 

See the adjective. 



CAR—CAT 

CAREER, s. Course of rapid action. F. carriere: L. carrus, a car, 

from curro, to run. 
CARESS, v. To treat in a kind, or loving manner. F. caresser: L. 

earns, dear. 
CARET, s. A grammatical point (a.) L. caret, there is [something] 

wanting. 
CARMINATIVE, s. A medicine for expelling wind. L. cardiacus, 

griped, and minuo, to lessen. 
CARNAGE, s. Heaps of flesh ; immense slaughter. F. carnage : L» 

carnis, gen. of caro, flesh. 
CARNAL, adj. Fleshly; not spiritual ; lustful. F. carnal: L. carnis, 

gen. of caro, flesh. 
CARNATION, s. The name of a pink flower. F. carnation.- ^car- 
nis, gen. of caro, flesh; because, that species is flesh-coloured. 
CARNIVAL, s. A feast before Lent. F. carnaval: L. carnis, gen, 

of caro, flesh, and valeo, to take leave, or bid farewell. 
CARNIVOROUS, adj. Having a natural inclination to eat flesh. L» 

carnivorus: carnis, gen. of caro, flesh, and voro, to devour. 
CARP. v. To cavil. L. carpo, to pluck, or find fault. 
CARRION, s. Flesh unfit for the food of man. F. charogne; from 

carter, to rot. 
CARTE-BLANCHE, s. An unlimited commission. F. carte, a cards 

and blanche, white, or unwritten. 
CARTEL, s. A writing containing stipulations between enemies, 

generally relating to an exchange of prisoners; a vessel sailing under 

those stipulations. F. cartel. See CHARTER. 
CARTILAGE, s. A smooth, and solid body, softer than a bone, but 

harder than a ligament. L. cartilago, a cartilage, or gristle. 
CARTRIDGE, s. A gun-charge, generally in paper. F. carte, strong 

paper. L. charta. 
CASCADE, s. A waterfall. F. cascade: L. casus, p. part, of cado, to 

fall. 
CASE. s. State of any thing; event; variation of a noun. L. casus,: 

from cado, to fall, or happen. 
CASTIGATE, v. To chastise; to punish. L. castigo ; from castuS, 

pure, and ago, to make. 
CASTRAMETATTON. s. Science of measuring and laying out the 

ground for an encampment. L. castra, a camp, and G. metreo, to 

measure. 
CASUAL, adj. Accidental. F. casuel : L. casus, a chance; cado, to 

fall. 
CASUIST, s. One who justifies evil actions by argument. F. casuiste? 

L. casus, an event, occasion, or emergency. 
CATACHRESIS. s. Abuse of words. G. katachresis : from kata 9 

against, and chrtsis, use. 
CATACOMBS. *. Places for the dead. L. catacumbse : G. kata t 

against, and kumbos, a hollow place : alluding to the body being 

placed perpendicularly in a niche. 
CATALOGUE, s. A list. L. catalogus: G. katahgos: kata, according 

to, and logos, a word, or description. 
D2 



CAT— GEL 

CATAPLASM, s. A poultice. G. katapksma: kata, over, and plasso^ 
to spread. 

CATARACT, s. A waterfall. L. cataracta ; G. kataraktes .• kata, 
against, and rasso, to break, or cast down. 

CATARRH, s. An issue of humour from the glands, about the head 
and throat. G. katarrheo, to flow from. 

CATASTROPHE', s. Terminating event ; unhappy conclusion. G. 
katastrophe: kata, against, and strepho, to turn. 

CATECHISE, v. To question minutely. G. katecheo: kata, into, and 
echeo, to sound. 

CATEGORICAL, adj. Absolute; direct. G. kata, according to, and 
agoreo, to speak. 

CATENARIAN, adj. Resembling a chain. L. catena, a chain. 

CATHARTIC, adj. Purgative. G. kathartikos: kathairo, to purge. 

CATHEDRAL, s. The head church of a diocese. L. cathedra: G. 
kathedra-, a chair, in which declamations are made, or lectures read, 

CATHOLIC, adj. Universal. F. catholique : G. katholikos: kata, 
throughout, and hobs, the whole, 

CATHOLICON. 5. Something of universal application or use. See 
CATHOLIC. 

CATOPTRICS, s. That part of optics which relates to vision by re- 
flection. G. katoptron, a looking-glass : kata, against, and optomai, 
to see. 

CAUDAL, adj. Relating or belonging to the tail. L. cauda, a tail. 

CAUSE, s. That which effects; subject of litigation; party. L. causa, 
a cause. 

CAUSIDICAL. adj. Relating to a suit at law, or to a lawyer. L. cau- 
sidicus, a lawyer : causa, a cause, or law-suit, and dico, to speak. 

CAUSTIC, adj. Destroying the texture of any thing, by its hot, cor- 
rosive nature. G. kaustikos: kaio, to burn. 

CAUTERY, s. An iron used by surgeons for burning the flesh; a caus- 
tic substance. F. cautere.- G. kaio, to burn. 

CAUTION, s. Regard to, or notice of, danger; prudence ; foresight. 
F. caution: L. cautus, p. part, of caveo, to beware. 

CAVALIER, s. A horseman, or knight. F. cavalier,- from cheval, a 
horse. 

CAVALRY, s. Men mounted on horses, and armed for war. F. caval- 
erie,- from cheval, a horse. 

CAVE. s. A large hole under ground. L. cavum : cavo, to make 
hollow. 

CAVEAT, s. The name of a legal process, denoting a caution, or in- 
junction. L. caveat, let him beware: from caveo. 

CAVIL, v. To object without sufficient cause. L. cavillor: caveo, to 
prevent. 

CAVITY, s. A hollow place. L. cavitas. See CAVE. 

CEASE, v. To stop. L. cesso,- from cedo, to retreat. 

CEDE. v. To yield; to assign by virtue of a treaty. L. cedo, to yield. 

CELEBRATE, v. To solemnize; to make famous. L. celebro: celeber, 
renowned. 

CELERITY, s. Swiftness; despatch. L. celeritas: celer, swift. 

CELESTIAL, adj. Heavenly; relating to the upper regions. L. ceks 
tis: coehtm, heaven 



CEL— CEE 

CELIBACY, s. Unmarried state. L. caelebs, or cctlebs, unmarriea. 
CELLAR. 8. A subterranean apartment. L. cella,- (anciently cela/- 

from celo, to hide. 
CELLULAR, adj. Having- small cavities. L. cellula, a little cellar, 

See CELLAR. 
CEMETERY, s. A place for the dead. L. coemeterium : G. koi?nele- 

rion : from koimcuh, to put to sleep. 
CENOBITE, or COENOBITE- s. One of a religious order, who lives 

in a convent, or in a community, under a certain rule ; in opposition 

to a hermit, who lives in solitude. G. koinos, common, and bios, life. 
CENOTAPH, s. A monument for a person buried at another place. 

G. kenos, empty, and taphos, a sepulchre. 
CENSER. s. A vessel in which incense is burned. F. encensoir: L. 

incensus, p. part, of incendo, to burn. 
CENSOR, s. A corrector; an examiner. L. censor.- censeo, to judge. 
CENSORIOUS, adj. Addicted to censuring with severity. See 

CENSOR. 
CENSURE. Si Blame. L. censura. See CENSOR. 
CENSUS, s. An account of the inhabitants, &c. made by public au- 
thority. L. census. See CENSOR. 
CENT. s. A hundred; a coin, equal to the hundredth part of a dollar, 

F.- cent : L. centum, a hundred. 
CENTENNARY. adj. Relating to a hundred. L. centennarius: cen- 
tum, a hundred. 
CENTIPEDE, s. An insect with many feet. L. centum, a hundred, 

and pedes, (pi. of pes,) feet. 
CENTRE, s. The middle; that which is equally distant from all extre- 
mities. L. centrum : G. kentron, a sharp point, or centre $ from 

kenteo, to prick. 
CENTRIFUGAL, adj. Receding from the centre. L. centrum, the 

centre, and fugio, to run away. 
CENTRIPETAL, adj. Approaching the centre. L. centrum, the 

centre, and peto, to seek. 
CENTURION, s. A Roman commander of a hundred men. L. cen- 

turio; from centum, a hundred. 
CENTURY, s. A hundred; a hundred years. L. centuria: centum, a 

hundred. 
CEPHALIC, adj. Medicinal to the head. F. cephalique: G. kephale, 

the head. 
CERATE, s. An ointment composed chiefly of wax. L. ceraturn ,* 

cera, wax. 
CERECLOTH, s. Cloth dipped in wax or gum. L. cera, wax, and 

cloth. 
CERTAIN, adj. Determined; stated; regular; sure; indubitable. L. 

certus,- from cerno, to sift, or separate. 
CERTIFY, v. To make a formal attestation. F. certifier: L. certus,' 

sure, and facio, to make. 
CERTIORARI, s. A writ to order the record of a cause to be brought 

before a superior court. L. certiorari, to be made more certain. 
CERULEAN, adj. Light blue. L. cceruleus: caelum, the sky. 
CERUMEN, s. The wax formed in the ear. L. cerumen: cera, wax. 



CES— CHA 

CESS. s. A tax .levied, by its own officers, on a county or a parish. 
L. cessum, sup. of cedv, to yield. 

CESSATION, 5. A stop; suspension of action. L. cessatio. See 
CEASE. 

CESSION, s. Resignation; assignment. L. cessio; from cessum, sup. 
of cedo, to yield. 

CETACEOUS, adj. Of the whale kind. L. cetus: G. ketos, a whale. 

CHAFE, v. To heat by rubbing; to make angry; to fret. F. chauffer : 
L. calfacio: calidus, hot, and facto, to make. 

CHALICE, s. A sacramental cup. F. calice : L. calix, a cup. 

OHALYBEATE. adj. Impregnated with iron or steel. L. chalybs: 
G. chalups, steel. 

CHAMADE. s. The beat of a drum, indicating a desire for a parley. F. 

CHAMOIS, s. A kind of soft leather. F. chamois, a wild goat. 

CHAMPAIGN, adj. Relating to a flat, open country. F. campagne; 
from champ .- L. campus, a field. 

CHAMPION, s. A warrior ; one who engages in single combat. F. 
champion: champ : L. campus, a field. 

CHANCEL, s. The place in a church where the altar stands. F. chan- 
cel.: L. cancelli, lattices; referring to the enclosure. 

CHANCELLOR, s. This word is not placed here for the purpose of 
exhibiting its etymology ; but, on the contrary, of stating that its 
derivation has not been satisfactorily ascertained, even by the great- 
est lawyers. See Blackstone's Com. 

CHANDELIER, s. A branch for candles. F. chandelier,- from chan- 
delle, a candle. 

CHANDLER. 5. A maker of candles. F. chandelier.- chandelle, a 
candle. 

CHANTICLEER, s. A name given to the house-cock. F. chanter, 
to sing, and clair, clear: L. canto, and clarus. 

CHAOS, s. A confused mass or mixture. G. chaos, signifying, pro- 
perly, a vast chasm: frem chao, to gape. 

CHAOTIC, adj. Confused. See CHAOS. 

CH APLET. s. A garland or wreath for the head. F. chapelet : L* 
caput, the head. 

CHAPTER, s. A division of a book; (an assembly of the clergy of a 
cathedral or collegiate church. ) F. chapitre .- L. capitulum, dim. 
of caput, a head: hence, we say, "the heads of a discourse;" mean- 
ing, the titles of each chapter. 

CHARACTER, s. A mark; a stamp; a letter used in writing or print- 
ing; representation; reputation. G. charectera,- charasso, to imprint, 
or stamp. 

CHARGE B> AFFAIRES, s. A diplomatic agent, in rank inferior 
to an ambassador. F. signifying, "charged with the business." 

CHARITABLE, adj. Kind; liberal. F. charitable.- L. charitas, cha- 
rity: G. charis, a gift, grace, affection. 

CHARLATAN, s. A quack, or mountebank. F. charlatan; from an 
Italian word, signifying to chatter. 

CHARM, s. Words, or characters, imagined to have some secret pow- 
er; something which will please, irresistibly. F. charme.- L. carmen^ 
a verse. 

CHARM, v. To delight highly. See the noun* 



CHA— CHR 

CHARNELHOUSE. 8. A depositor}- of human bones. F. chamei, 
relating to flesh, and house. 

CHART, s. A map for seamen. L. charter, paper, or a card. Sea- 
charts were formerly, in England, called sea-cards. 

CHARTER, s. A writing, containing a grant of privileges. L, char- 
ta, paper. 

CHASM, s. A cleft; a place unfilled. G. chasma t chaino, to gape 
widely. 

CHASTE, adj. Pure; undefiled. F. chaste.- L. castas, pure. 

CHASTISE, v. To punish with a design of amending. See CHASTE. 

CHATEAU, s. A stately mansion. F. chateau, a castle. 

CHEMIST, or CHYM1ST. a. A separater and examiner of matter; 
and preparer of various compounds. F. chymiste : G. chumizo, to 
boil, or heat in the fire. 

CHEVALIER, s. A knight. F. chevalier,- from cheval, a horse ; be- 
cause the knights were formerly distinguished, in battle, by being 
mounted. 

CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE. s. A defensive instrument of war, made of 
timber and iron spikes. F. This term denotes, in English, horses 
of Friesland: the contrivance having been first used in the latter 
country, as a substitute for cavalry. 

CHICANE, s. Artifice. F. chicane, a quirk. 

CHIMERICAL, adj. Imaginary ; of extravagant conception. L. chi- 
mera, one of the poetical monsters. 

CHIROMANCY, s. The pretended art of palmistry, or foretelling the 
events of life by the lines of the hand. F. chiromance .- G. cheir, a 
hand, and mantis, a prophet. 

CHIRURGERY. s. See SURGEON. 

CHIVALRY, s. Knighthood; the qualifications or actions of a knight; 
the general system of knighthood. F. chevalerie. See CHEVA- 
LIER. 

CHOIR, s. A band of singers in a church; the place where they sing. 
F. chceur. See CHORUS. 

CHOLERA MORBUS, s. A sudden effusion of the bile on the intes- 
tines, so as to operate violently, both upwards and downwards. L. 
cholera, the cholic, and morbus, a disease : G. chole, bile. 

CHOLERIC, adj. Bilious; irascible. L. cholericus .- G. chole, bile. 

CHOLIC. s. A painful disorder of the stomach or bowels. G. chole, 
bile. 

CHORAL, adj. Belonging to a choir. See CHOIR. 

CHORUS, s. A band of singers; part of a song in which the whole 
company join. L. chorus .- G. choros, a company of dancers and 
singers: from choreuo, to dance. 

CHRISM, s. Holy ointment. G. chrizma, an ointment. 

CHROMATIC, adj. Relating to the colour of light, and of natural 
bodies, and to a species of ancient music now unknown. G. chro- 
matikos: chroma, colour. 

CHRONIC, or CHRONICAL, adj. Relating to diseases of long conti- 
nuance. F. chronigue : G. chronos, time. 

CHRONICLE, s. A brief history, with dates. G. chronos, time. 
. CHRONOLOGY, s. The science of computing relative time. F. chro- 
nologic- G. chronos, time, and logos, a word, or discourse. 



CHR— CIR 

CHRONOMETER, s. An instrument for measuring time. G. chronos, 

time, and metreo, to measure. 
CHRYSALIS, s. An insect, such as a butterfly, when changing from 

its torpid state. L. chrysalis : G. chrusos, gold ; referring to its 

yellow hue. 
CHRYSOLITE. s. A precious stone, of a dusky green, with a shade 

of yellow. F. chrysolite : G. chrusos, gold, and lithos, a stone. 
CHYLE, s. A white juice, formed in the intestines, and afterwards 

converted into blood. G. chulos, juice. 
CHYMIST. s. A professor of chemistry. See CHEMIST. 
CI DEVANT. Formerly. F. 
CINCTURE, s. Something worn round the body; a bandage. L. 

cinctura,- from cinctus, p. part, ofcingo, to gird. 
GENERATION, s. The act of reducing to ashes. L. cineres, ashes. 
CINQUE-PORTS. s. The cinque-ports, or Jive ports, as the F. numeral 

cinque, denotes, were those in England, which, lying the nearest to 

France, were the more vigilantly guarded against invasion ; and 

placed under the superintendence of a special governor. 
CIPHER. s. Any arithmetical figure ; but, in general, denoting : 

hence, the appellation to a person of no efficiency, "a mere cipher:'* 

it also means, a secret mode of corresponding. F. chiffre, an arith- 
metical figure. 
CIRCLE, s. A line every where equidistant from a common centre. 

L. circulus: circum, around. 
CIRCUIT, s. Motion around; comprehensive tour; space; extent. L. 

circuitus: circum, around, and itus, a going: eo, to go. 
CIRCULATE, v. To move in a circle ; to flow around. L. circulo. 

See CIRCLE. 
CIRCUMAGGERATE. s. To heap around. L. circumaggero: circum, 

around, and aggero, to heap. 
CIRCUMAMBIENT, adj. Going around. L. circum, around, and 

ambiens, part, of ambio, to go about. 
CIRCUMCISE, v. To cut the foreskin. L. circumcisum, sup. of cir- 

cumcido: circum, around, and caedo, to cut. 
CIRCUMFERENCE, s. Boundary of a circle. L. circumferens, part. 

of circumfero: circum, around, and fero, to carry. 
CIRCUMFLUENT, adj. Flowing around. L. circumfiuens, part, of 

circumfluo: circum, around, and Jluo, to flow. 
CIRCUMFUSE. v. To pour, or spread around. L. circumfusum, sup. 

of circumf undo: circum, around, and fundo, to pour. 
CIRCUMJACENT, adj. Surrounding. L. circumjactns, part, of cir- 

cwnjaceo: circum, around, and jaceo, to lie. 
CIRCUMLOCUTION, s. Indirect expression of words. L. circum, 

about, and locutus, part, of loquor, to speak. 
CIRCUMNAVIGATE, v. To sail around. L. circum, around, and 

navigate. 
CIRCUMSCRIBE, v. To limit, by a real or imaginary circle. L. cir- 
cum, around, and scribo, to write. 
CIRCUMSPECT, adj. Cautious. L. circumspedus, p. part, of circum* 

spicio: circum, around, and specio, to view. 
CIRCUMSTANCE, s. Something relative to a fact ; incident ; condi- 



cm— CLE 

tion. L. circumstantia ; from circum, about, and stans, part, of sto, } 

' to stand. 

CIRCUMVALLATION. s. A surrounding wall. L. circumvallatu&, 
part, of circumvallo: circum, around, and vallo, (from vallum, a fence,) 
to enclose. 

CIRCUMVENT, v. To defeat by stratagem. L. circumventum, sup. 
of circumvenio: circum, around, and venio, to come. 

CIRCUMVOLUTION, s. The act of rolling around. L. circumvolutus, 
p. part, of circumvolvo. See CIRCUMVOLVE. 

CIRCUMVOLVE. v. To roll around. L. circumvolvo: circum, around, 
and volvo, to roll. 

CIRCUS, s. An open place, or theatre, for equestrian exhibitions. L. 
circus,- from circum, around. 

CITATION, s. Act of summoning; a summons; a quotation. L. «7a- 
2ws, p. part, of cito, to summon. 

CITY. s. This term cannot be strictly defined : its application is arbi- 
trary. It is applied always to the capital town; and frequently, but 
not universally, to any incorporated town. We may safely apply it 
to places of great importance. F. cite ; L. civitas,- from civis, a 
citizen. 

CIVIL, adj. Relating to the community in general; mild; obliging. L, 
civilis; from civis, a citizen. 

CLAIM, v. To demand as a right. L. cldmo, to call aloud. 

CLAMOR, or CLAMOUR, s. Vehement outcry. L. clamor. See 
CLAIM. 

CLANDESTINE, adj. Secret; done in a manner to elude observation. 
L. clandestinus: clam, secretly, and destino, to design. 

CLANGOR, s. A loud, shrill sound. L. clangor, the sound of a trum- 
pet. G. Mange.- klazo, to cry aloud. 

CLARE-OBSCURE, s. Light and shade in painting. L. clarus, bright, 
and obscurus, dusky. 

CLARIFY, v. To make clear. L. clarus, clear, and jio, to be made. 

CLASSIC, or CLASSICAL, adj. Relating to ancient literature, and 
to architecture, and modern literature, of the highest rank. L. clas- 
sicus. See CLASSICS. 

CLASSICS, s. Ancient literature of the first rank ; modern literature 
of uncommon merit. L. classis, a school-bench: alluding to the seats 
arranged in the ancient academies. 

CLAUSE, s. Part of a discourse, or of a sentence. L. clausus, p. part, 
of claudo, to enclose : meaning, that a clause is separated by punctu- 
ation. 

CLAVICLE, s. The collar-bone. L. clavkula, a little key or bolt : 
clavis, a key or bolt. 

CLEMENCY, s. Mercy; humanity. L. dementia, pity. 

CLERK, s. In the dark ages, preceding the revival of letters, the 
clergy engrossed every branch of learning, and were peculiarly re- 
markable for their knowledge of law. The English judges were, 
therefore, usually created out of the sacred order, and all the inferior 
offices were supplied by the lower clergy; which has occasioned their 
successors to be denominated clerks, to this day: and hence, the same 
title is given to nearly all persons employed in any subordinate office, 



CLI— GOG 

that requires a knowledge of writing or accounts. L. ckricus, a 
clergyman : G. kleros, a lot, or office. 

CLIMACTERIC, or CLIMACTRIC. s. Relating to a period of life, 
when some great change is supposed to befall the body. F. clima- 
terique: G. tclimakter, the step of a ladder. See CLIMAX. 

CLIMATE, s. A space measured from the equator to the poles $ a 
certain temperature or situation, indicating a degree different from 
another. L. clima : G. Mima; from Mino, to change, or incline. 

CLIMAX, s. Gradual ascent; a rhetorical figure, by which the words 
gradually rise in importance. G. klimax, a ladder. 

CLINIC, or CLINICAL, adj. Relating to a person who, from sickness, 
is compelled to remain in bed. A '* clinical lecture" is delivered by 
a medical professor at the bed-side. G. Mino, to lie down. 

CLOISTER, s. A place of religious seclusion. L. claustrum, an en- 
closure, or closet. See CLOSE. 

CLOSE, v. To shut; to conclude; to end. See the adjective. 

CLOSE, adj. Shut fast; secret; confined; compact. L. clausus, p. part, 
ofclaudo, to shut. 

CLOSET, s. A small room for retirement, or for the preservation of 
valuable things. See CLOSE. 

CLOUD, s. An opaque assemblage in the sky. L. claudo, to shut. 

CLOWN, s. A rustic; a coarse ill-bred man; one who makes sport at 
a theatrical entertainment. L. cobnus: colo, to till. 

COADJUTOR, s. An assistant ; a partner. L. con, together, and ad- 
jutor, a helper: ad, to, and jutus, p. part, of juvo, to help. 

COAGULATE, v. To curdle. L. coagulo: con, together, and ago, 
to go. 

COALESCE, v. To unite. L. coaksco, to grow together: con, toge- 
ther, and ah, to nourish or increase. 

COALITION, s. Union. L. coalitus, part, of coalesco. See COA- 
LESCE. 

CODE. s. A system of laws or regulations. F. code: L. codex, the 
ligneous part of a tree ; by metonymy, a book: because, books were 
occasionally made of thin boards. 

CODICDL. s. A supplement to a will. L. codicillus, diminutive of 
codex. See CODE. 

COEFFICIENT, adj. Uniting in action. L. con, together, and effi- 
cient. 

COERCE, v. To force; to restrain. L. co'e'rceo: con, together, and 
arceo, to stop, or hinder. 

COETERNAL. adj. Equally eternal. L. con, with, and eternal. 

COEVAL, adj. Equally ancient. L. cosevus: con, together, and aevum, 
an age. 

COEXIST, v. To exist at the same time. L. con, together, and exist. 

COEXTEND. v. To reach to an equal distance. L. coti, together, 
and extend. 

COGENT, adj. Powerful; convincing. L. cogens, part, of cogo, to 
assemble, or compel : con, with, and ago, to act. 

COGITATE, v. To think. L. cogito; from cogo, to assemble; meaning 
the mental faculties. 

COGNITION, s. Knowledge ; consciousness. L. cognitio; from cog- 
nosco, to discover or understand. 



COG— COL 

COGNIZANCE. *. Judicial notice; judicial authority. F. connoissance: 
L. cognosco, to discover. 

COHABIT, v. To live together as husband and wife. L. cohabito: 
con, together, and habito, to dwell. 

COHABITANT. *. An inhabitant of the same place. L. cohabitans, 
part, of cohabito: con, together, and habito, to dwell. 

COHEIR, s. One of two or more persons who inherit the same estate. 
L. con, together, and heir. t 

COHERE, v. To stick together. L. cohaereo: con, together, and hasreo, 
to stick fast. 

COHESION, s. Act of cohering; union of surfaces. L. cohsesus, part, 
of cohxreo. See COHERE. 

COIF. s. A hood; a cap. Sir H. Spelman conjectures that coifs were 
introduced amongst the clergy, to hide the tonsure of such as were 
still tempted to remain in the secular courts, as advocates or judges, 
notwithstanding their prohibition by canon. F. coiffe; from couvrir, 
to cover. 

COIN. s. In architecture, a corner; any thing standing out angularly. 
F. coigne : G. gonia, a corner. 

COINCIDE, v. To meet in the same point ; to agree. L. coincido : 
con, together, in, into, and cado, to fall. 

COLANDER, s. A strainer. L. co/o, to strain. 

COLIC. See CHOLIC. 

COLLAR, s. A band for the neck. L. collum, the neck. 

COLLATE, v. To compare one copy or thing with another of the 
same kind; to place in an ecclesiastical benefice, by the single act of 
the ordinary, when patron. L. collatum, sup. of confer v.- con, toge- 
ther, and fwo, to bring. 

COLLATERAL, adj. Running parallel ; not direct; equally related. 
L. con, together, and latus, a side : that is, side by side, remaining 
together. 

COLLATION, s. Act of collating ; a species of repast. L. collatio. 
See COLLATE. 

COLLEAGUE, s. An associate, or partner. L. con, together, and 
league. 

COLLECT, v. To gather; to assemble. L. collectum, sup. of colligo: 
con, together, and lego^ to gather. 

COLLEGE, s. A public place of study; a state-assembly. L. colle- 
gium,- from colligo. See COLLECT. 

COLLISION, s. The act of striking together. L. collisio; from collido: 
con, together, and Isedo, to hurt. 

COLLOQUIAL, adj. Relating or belonging to familiar discourse. 
See COLLOQUY. 

COLLOQUY, s. Conversation; conference. L. colloquium: con, toge- 
ther, and loquor, to speak. 

COLLUDE, v. To play in concert, so as to cheat; to conspire in a 
fraud. L. colludo: con, together, and ludo, to play. 

COLLUSION, s. Act of colluding; design of two or more persons to 
defraud. L. collusio: collusum, sup. of colludo. See COLLUDE. 

COLON, s. A grammatical point (:) ; one of the intestines. G. kolon, 
a member. 

E 



COL— COM 

COLONY. *. A country planted by a foreign state? the people inhabit- 
ing, or intending to inhabit, the plantation. L. cobnia : G. kolon, 
a member. 

COLOSSUS, s. A huge statue. L. colossus: G. kolossos. The most 
celebrated colossal statue was that of Apollo, at Rhodes, which was 
126 feet high. The name is derived from kollao, to join strongly 
with cement ; alluding to the number of pieces of which it was 
composed, f 

COLUMN, s. A round pillar, by which something is supported ; a 
body of troops, formed into an oblong ; a section of a page, when 
divided equally by a perpendicular line. L. columna : columen, a 
prop ; from columis, whole, safe. 

COLURES. s. Two great circles, imagined to pass through the poles 
of the world ; one through the equinoctial, and the other through 
the solstitial points. L. coluri: G. kolouri; from kolouros, cut short : 
because, a part of their circumference lies under the horizon. 

COMB. s. An instrument to separate and adjust the hair; the crest of 
a cock. L. coma, the hair: the cavities in which bees lodge their 
honey. G. kumbos, a cave, or hollow place. 

COMBAT, v. To fight; to oppose. F. combattre : L. con, together, 
and batuo, to beat. 

COMBINE, v. To. unite. F. combiner: L. con, together, and binus, 
a couple. 

COMBUSTIBLE, adj. Susceptible of ignition. L. combustus, p. part, 
of comburo: con, with, and uro, to burn. 

COMEDY, s. An amusing drama. L. comedia: G. kome, a village. 

COMET, s. A kind of planet. L. cometa,- from coma, hair: referring 
to its apparent tail. 

COMMA. s. A grammatical point (,) denoting the shortest pause in 
reading ; in music, the ninth part of a tone. G. komma, a slice, or 
very small part. 

COMMAND, s, Government; direction. F. commande: L. con and 
mando, to intrust with : mdndo is from manus, a hand, and do, to 
give; meaning, to commit to another's power. 

COMMEMORATE, v. To preserve the memory of, by some public 
act. L. commemoro: con, together, and memoro, to remember. 

COMMEND, v. To recommend; to approve.. L. commendo: con, with, 
and mando, to intrust. 

COMMENDAM. s. A church benefice, given in trust. See COM- 
MEND. 

COMMENSURATE, adj. Equal; proportionate. L. con, with, and 
mensura, a measure. 

COMMENT', v. To remark ; to annotate. L. cornmmtov; from com- 
mentus, part, of comminisco, to call to mind. 

COMMERCE, s. Extensive trade ; intercourse. F. commerce : L. 
commercium: con, together, and mercor, to purchase. 

COMMINGLE, v. To blend. L. con, together, and mingle. 

COMMISERATE, v. To pity. L. commiseror: con, with, misereor, to 
be sorry. 

COMMISSARY, s. In military language, means a person who super- 
intends the supplying of an army with clothing, provisions, and am- 
munition. Low L. commissarius. See COMMISSION. 



COM— COM 

C6MMISSI0N. s. Act of committing ; authority given. F. commis* 

sion: L. commissum: con, with, and missus, p. part, of mitto, to send, 
COMMIT, v. To give in trust; to perpetrate. L. committo: con, with, 

and mitto, to send. 
COMMITTEE, s. Persons chosen by a larger number, to consider 

some business and report their opinion. See COMMIT. 
COMMIX, v. To blend. L. con, together, and mix. 
COMMODE, s. A night-stool. F. commode: L. commodum, conve- 
nience. 
COMMODIOUS, adj. Convenient. L. commodus: con, with, and 

modus, due proportion, a measure. 
COMMODITY, s. Something useful. F. commodite : L. commoditas> 

See COMMODIOUS. 
COMMON, adj. General; vulgar. L. communis: con, together, and 

munus, a benefit, or right. 
COMMOTION, s. Tumult; disturbance; agitation. L. commotio: 

commotus, p. part, of commoveo : con, together, and moveo, to move. 
COMMORIENT, adj. Dying together; dying at the same time. L. 

commoriens: con, together, and moriens, part, of morior, to die. 
COMMUNE, v. To converse; to impart sentiments mutually. L. com- 

munico. See COMMON. 
COMMUNIS US ANNIS. On the annual average. L. communibus, 

in common, annis, years: {communis and annus.) 
COMMUNICATE, v. To impart, or reveal. L. communico. See 

COMMON. 
COMMUNION, s. Intercourse; participation. L. communio. See 

COMMON. 
COMMUNITY, s. The state of being common ; people united into a 

society, and having a common interest ; that state which is opposed 

to individuality of interest. L. communitas. See COMMON. 
COMMUTE, v. To change. L. commuto,- from con, with, and muto, 

to change. 
COM'PACT. s. An agreement. L. con, with, and pactus, part, of 

paciscor, to bargain. 
COMPACT', adj. Firm; close. L. compactus, p. part, of compingo: 

con, together, and pango, to strike, or drive in. 
COMPANION, s. An associate. F. compagnon : L. compago, a joint? 

con, together, and pango, to fix. 
COMPARATIVE, adj. Relating to comparison. See COMPARE. 
COMPARE, v. To judge or estimate, relatively, things which have 

some resemblance, or are of the same nature, L. comparo: con, to- 
gether, and par, a pair. 
COMPASS, v. To encircle; to surround; to attain. See the noun. 
COMPASS, s. Circle; round; limits; an instrument with which a circle 

is drawn; an instrument whereby mariners steer. L. con, with, and 

passus, p. part, of pando, to spread or extend. 
COMPASSION, s. Pity. F. compassion: L. con, with, and passus, 

part, of potior, to suffer. 
COMPATIBLE, adj. . Suitable ; consistent. F. compatible : L. con, 

together, and patibilis; patior, to receive, or suffer to be mixed with. 



COM— COM 

COMPATRIOT. s. One of the same country; a fellow-patriot. F. 

compatriote : L. con, tog-ether, and patria, a country. 
COMPEL, v. To force. L. compelh ,■ from con, with, and pello, to 

drive. 
COMPENDIOUS, adj. Short; abridged. See COMPENDIUM. 
COMPENDIUM, s. An abstract ; an abridgment. L. compendium; 

from con, together, and pendo, to weigh, or deliberate on: meaning, 

that care was used to admit only what was important. 
COMPENSATE, v. To recompense. L. compenso : con, with, and 

pensus, p. part, of pendo, to pay. 
COMPETENT, adj. Suitable ; adequate ; qualified. L. competens t 

part, of competo: con, with, and peto, to desire, or obtain. 
COMPETITION, s. Rivalship. L. con, together, and petitio, a desire. 
COMPILE, s. To collect from the works of others. L. compih; from 

con, and pilo, to pull off. 
COMPLA'CENT. adj. Mild. L. complacens, part, of complaceo, to 

please. 
COMPLAIN, v. To murmur. F. complaindre: L. con, and plango, 

to beat, (meaning* the breast,) or bewail. 
COMPLAISANT', adj. Civil; desirous to please. F. complaisant: 

L. compkicens. See COMPLACENT. 
COMPLEMENT, s. Generally signifies a just quantty. L. comple- 

mentum, a filling up, or completion ; from cornpleo. See COM- 
PLETE. 
COMPLETE, adj. Perfect; full. L. completus, part, of compleor: con, 

with, and pleor, to be filled. 
COMPLEX, adj. Of many parts ; entangled. L. complexes, part, of 

comphctor: con, together, and plector, to be folded. 
COMPLEXION, s. Appearance, (all the colours, or all the circum- 
stances, being seen in one view;) colour of the face. F. complexion: 

L. complexio. See COMPLEX. 
COMPLICATE, adj. Involved ; difficult. L. complicatus, part, of 

complico: con, together, and plica, to fold. 
COMPLIMENT, s. A flattering expression of civility. F. compliment,- 

from compiler. See COMPLY. 
COMPLY, v. To accord with ; to submit. F. compiler, ■ con, with, and 

plier, to bend. 
COMPORT, v. To agree; to suit; (followed by icith.) F. comporter: 

L. con, together, and porto, to carry or bear. 
COMPOSE, v. To put together ; to invent; to calm. F. composer.- 

L. compositum, sup. of compono: con, together, and pono, to place. 
COMPOSITE, adj. Of several kinds. L. composiius. See COMPOSE. 
COMPOS MENTIS. Of sound and composed mind. L. 
COMPOST, s. A mixture for manure. See COMPOSE. 
COMPOSURE, s. Calmness of mind; tranquillity. See COMPOSE. 
COMPOUND, v. To mix; to combine. L. compono. See COMPOSE. 
COMPREHEND, v. To include; to understand. L. comprehendo: con, 

together, and prendo, to lay hold on. 
COMPRESS, v. To press together ; to condense. L. compressum, 

sup. of comprimo: con, together, and premo, to press. 
COMPRISE, v. To contain. F. compris, comprised; from c&mprendre. 

See COMPREHEND. 



COM— CON 

COMPROMISE, s. Mutual abatement. F. compromis: L. compro- 
missum: con, together, and promissus, p. part, of promitto, to pro- 
mise. 

COMPTROLLER, s. A director; a supervisor. F. compte, an account, 
and rolle, a list. 

COMPULSION, s. Act of compelling. L. compukio: compulsus, p, 

. part, of compello. See COMPEL. 

COMPUNCTION, s. Uneasiness of conscience. F. compunction.- Lo 
punctus, p. part, of pungo, to prick. 

COMPURGATOR, s. One who bears his testimony to the credibility 
of another : (compurgators are not, however, admitted in modem 
times.) L. compurgator ,- con, together, and purgo, to cleanse. — - 
See Hume's History of England ; or Blackstone's Commentaries. 

COMPUTE, v. To calculate. L. computo; con, together, and puio> 
to consider. 

CONCATENATION, s. A series of links ; uninterrupted succession, 
L. con, together, and catena, a chain. 

CONCAVE, adj. Hollow; opposed to convex. L. concavus ; from 
cavea, a cave. 

CONCEAL, v. To hide. L. conceh: celo, to hide. 

CONCEDE, v. To yield, or grant. L. concedo: con, with, and cedo> to 
yield. 

CONCEIT, s. Thought; opinion; pride. F. concept : L. conceptus, p, 
part, of concipio, to conceive. 

CONCEIVE, v. To form in the mind; to comprehend; to think j. to- 
become pregnant. F. concevoir: L. concipio .• con, with, and capio? 
to take. 

CONCENTRATE, v. To bring towards the centre; to bring together, 
L. con, together, and centrum, the centre. 

CONCEPTION, s. Act of conceiving; thing conceived; idea; know= 
ledge ; state of becoming pregnant. L. conceptio: conceptus, p. part* 
of concipio, to conceive : con, together, and capio, to take~ 

CONCERN, s. Business ; participation ; regard. F. concerner, to re- 
gard : L. con, with, and cerno, to see. 

CONCESSION, s. Act of conceding. L. concessio ; from con, and 
cessum, sup. of cedo, to yield, 

CONCHOLOGY. s. A description of shell-fish, or of shells; the sci- 
ence which treats of shell-fish. L. concha, a shell-fish, or shell, and 
G. logos, a word. 

CONCILIATE, v. To reconcile; to gain. L. concilia : concilium, a 
council. 

CONCISE. adj\ Brief. L. concisus, part, of concidor, to cut. 

CONCLAVE, s. A close assembly. L. conclave, an inner apartment i 
con, with, and clavis, a key. 

CONCLUDE, v. To finish; to decide. L. conclude ; con, and chuda, 
to shut up. 

CONCLUSION, s. Act of concluding ; termination ; result. L. con* 
clusio. See CONCLUDE. 

CONCOCT, v. To digest; to ripen. L. concoctum, sup. of concoquo,, to 
boil. 

CONCOMITANT, adj. Accompanying. L. concomitans: con, toge- 
E2 



CON— CON 

ther, and comitans, part, of comitor, to accompany; comes, a compa- 
nion. 
CONCORD, s. Agreement. L. concordia: con, tog-ether, and cordia, 

pi. of cor, the heart. 
CONCOURSE, s. Assemblage. F. concours: L. concursus. See 

CONCUR. 
CONCRETE, s. A substance formed by the union of diy particles- 

L. concretio: concretus, part, of concresco, to be joined together: con 

and cresco. 
CONCUPISCENCE, s. Irregular desire; lust. L. concupiscentia t 

concupisco, to covet: incep. from con, and cupio, to desire. 
CONCUR. «. To meet in one point ; to agree. L. concurro: con, to- 
gether, and curro, to run. 
CONCUSSION, s. Sudden and great agitation. L. concussio : con, 

together, and quassus, p. part, of quatio, to shake, or jolt. 
CONDEMN, v. To pronounce guilty; to censure; to declare unfit for 

use. L. condemno: con, with, and damnum, loss, or damage. 
CONDENSE, v. To make closer. L. condenso-.- con, together, and 

dtnseo, to thicken. 
CONDESCEND, v. To stoop. L. condescendo : core, with, and de- 

scendo, to come down. 
CONDIGN, adj. Suitable ; deserved. L. condignus; from con, with, 

and dignus, worthy, fit. 
CONDITION, s. Stipulation; state. L. conditio.- condo, to build. 
CONDOLE, v. To join in grief. L. condoleo : con, with, and doleo, 

to grieve. 
CONDUCE, v. To aid in promoting; to contribute. L. conduco: con, 

together, and duco, to lead. 
CONDUCT', v. To lead, or direct. L. conduco. • con, together, and 

ductus, p. part, of duco, to lead. 
CONTJUCT. 5. Management; behaviour. See the verb. 
CONDUIT. 5. An aqueduct, formed of pipes. F. conduit. See 

CONDUCT'. 
CONE. s. A solid body, having a circular base, and declining regular- 
ly to a point. L. conus : G. konos, the seed of the pine; or a cone. 
CONFABULATION, s. Conversation. L. confabulatio: con, together, 

and fabula, a discourse. 
CONFECTIONER, s. A maker of sweetmeats. L. confectio, a pre- 
paration: con, together, and fucio, to make. 
CONFEDERATE. s. An ally; an associate. L. con, together, and 

fosderatus, allied : fosdus, a league. 
CONFER, v. To consult; to bestow. L. confero: con, together, and 
. fero, to bring. 
CONFESS, v. To acknowledge; to avow; to hear the confession of a 

penitent, as a priest. F. confesser: L. confiteor: con, with,, axi&fateor, 

to own or avow: fatus, p. part, of for, to speak. 
CONFIDENCE, s. Belief; trust; firmness. L. confidential from con, 

with, and fides, faith. 
CONFI'NE. v. To limit; to imprison. F. confiner: L. con, with, and 

finis, a boundary. 
CON'FINES. s. Borders. F. confins : L. confine, a place adjoining: 

con, together, and finis, a boundary. 



CON— CON 

CONFIRM, v. To strengthen; to establish. L. confirmo: con, tog-ether, 

and forma, to strengthen. 
CONFISCATE, v. To seize for public use. L. confiscor: jiscus, a 

public money-bag. 
CONFLAGRATION, s. An extensive fire. F. conflagration .• L. cor?. 

together, and flagro, to burn. 
CONFLICT, s. A violent collision ; a combat. L. conflictm ; from 

confligo: con, together, and fligo, to dash. 
CONFLUENCE, s. Meeting of streams. L. confluens, part, of con- 

fluo: con, together, and fluo, to flow. 
CONFLUX, s. Concourse ; crowd. L. confluxus, part, of conflus. 

See CONFLUENCE. 
CONFORM, v. To assimilate ; to comply with. L. conformo ; con, 

with, and formo, to shape. 
CONFOUND, v. To perplex, or amaze. L. confundo: con, together, 

and /undo, to pour. 
CONFRONT, v. To bring face to face. F. con f router.- L. con, toge- 
ther, and frons, the forehead, or front. 
CONFUSE, v. To disorder, or perplex. L. confusus, p. part, of con- 
fundo. See CONFOUND. 
CONFUTE, v. To convict of error, or falsehood. L. confuto,- from 

con, and futo, to argue. 
CONGEAL, v. To become solid, as ice. L. congelo: gelu, ice. 
CONGE' D'ELIRE. s. Signifies, in England, the king's permission 

to a dean and chapter, to choose a bishop. F. conge, a license, 

d'elire, to elect. 
CONGENIAL, adj. Of the same kind; agreeable. L. con, with, and 

genus, a sort. 
CONGLOMERATE, v. To become round. L. conglomero: con, and 

glomus, a ball of thread. 
CONGLUT1NATE. v. To cement. L. conglutino.- gluten, glue. 
CONGRATULATE, v. To rejoice with a person on account of his 

good fortune. L. congratulor: con, with, and gratus, thankful. 
CONGREGATION, s. A collection; a religious assembly. L. congre- 

gatio; from con, together, and gregis, gen. of grex, a flock. 
CONGRESS, s. A meeting; a national assembly. L. congressio,- from 

congredior: con, together, and gradior, to go: gradus, a step. 
CONJECTURE, s. Supposition. L. conjectura: con, together, and 

jacio, to throw [our ideas.] 
CONJUGAL, adj. Matrimonial. L. conjugalis: conjagis, gen. of con- 

jux: con, together, and junctus, p. part, of jungo, to join. 
CONJUGATE, v. To decline a verb through its variations, and with 

a nominative prefixed; so that the verb shall agree with the nomina- 
tive, in number and person. L. conjugo: con, together, and jugo, to 

join. 
CONJUNCTION, s. Act of conjoining ; a connector of words. L. 

conjunction from conjungo: con, together, and jungo, to join. 
CONNECT, v. To join. L. connecto ; from con, together, and necto, 

to link, or knit. 
CONNIVE, v. To aid, by pretending ignorance of another's design. 

L. conniveo, -to wink. 



CON— CON 

CONNOISSEUR, s. A judge, or critic. F. connoisseur: L. cognosco. 
« to know. 

CONNUBIAL, adj. Nuptial. L. connubialis: con, together, and nubo, 
to cover, or marry. Amongst the Romans, it was customary for the 
bride to wear a veil. 

CONOIDE. s. A figure resembling a cone. G. konos, a cone, and 
oidos, form. 

CONQUER, v. To gain by conquest; to overcome. L. conquiro, to 
seek about, to get together. See CONQUEST. 

CONQUEST, s. What is now called purchase, the feudists called con- 
quest (conquestus, or conquisitio): both signifying, in law, any means 
of acquiring an estate, out of the common course of inheritance: 
hence, the term was afterwards used to denote the act of subduing, 
or placing in subjection. L. con, with, or together, and qusesitus, 
p. part, of queero, to seek. 

CONSANGUINITY, s. Relation by blood. L. consanguinitas : con, 
together, and sanguis, blood. 

CONSCIENCE, s. Self-knowledge; moral feeling. L. conscientia: 
con, with, and sciens, part, of scio, to know. 

CONSCIENTIOUS.^'. Regulated by conscience; exactly just. See 
CONSCIENCE. 

CONSCIOUS, adj. Knowing any thing, from internal judgment, or 
moral feeling. L. conscius. See CONSCIENCE. 

CONSCRIPTION, s. Military enrolment. L. conscriptio: con, toge- 
ther, and scriptus, p. part, of scribo, to write. 

CONSECRATE, v. To make holy; to dedicate. L. consecro : con, 
with, and sacro, to make sacred. 

CONSECUTIVE, adj. Uninterrupted. F. consecutif: L. con, toge- 
ther, and secutus, part, of sequor, to follow. 

CONSENT, v. To agree; to admit. L. consentio: con, with, and sentio y 
to think, or perceive. 

CONSEQUENCE, s. Effect. L. consequentia ,- from consequens, fol- 
lowing, or ensuing. Consequence is often improperly used for 
importance, — a person of consequence, instead of a person of import- 
ance. 

CONSERVATOR, s. A preserver of the public happiness. L. con- 
servator,- from con, together, and servo, to keep. 

CONSERVATORY. s. A place for holding delicate things. See 
CONSERVATOR. 

CONSIDER, v. To study; to regard. L. considero: con, with, and 
sedeo, to sit. 

CONSIDERABLE, adj. Worthv of consideration; great. See CON- 
SIDER. 

CONSIGN, v. To assign, or intrust. L. consigno: con a with, and 
signo, to mark. 

CONSIST, v. To agree (followed by with)^ to be contained. L. con- 
sisto: con, together, and sisto, to be set. 

CONSISTENT, adj. According; proper. L. consistens, part, of con- 
sisto: con, together, and sisto, to be set. 

CONSISTORIAL. adj. Relating to an ecclesiastical court. L. con- 
sisto, to remain in one place : that is, not circuitous, as some of the, 
common-law courts. 



e ON— CON 

CONSOLE, v. To comfort. L. consolor,- from con, with, and solar, 

to cheer. 
CONSOLIDATE, v. To make firm; to unite. L. con, tog-ether, and 

solid us, firm. 
CONSO'NANT. adj. According" with. L. consoncms, part, of consono.- 

con, with, and sono, to sound. 
CONSONANT, s. A letter, such as b, c, d; the name of which cannot 

be articulated without the aid of a vowel 5 therefore, sounded with 

another letter. See CONSO'NANT. 
CONSORT, s. A wife; a companion. L. con, together, and sors, a lot. 
CONSPICUOUS, adj. Obvious to the sight ; distinguished. L. con- 

spicuus,- from conspicio, (con, and specio,) to discern. 
CONSPIRE, v. To plot; to join. L. conspiro: con, tog-ether, and spiro, 

to breathe. 
CONSTABLE, s. This officer was so called, because his duty was 

to reg-ulate all matters of chivalry, tilts, tournaments, and feats of 

arms, that were performed on horseback. L. comes, an attendant 

or companion, stabuli, (g"en. of stabulum,) of the stable. 
CONSTANT, adj. Perpetual; continent; assiduous. L. const cms ,- 

from con, with, and stans, part, of sto, to stand. 
CONSTELLATION, s. A cluster of stars. L. con, together, and 

stellae, pi. of stella, a star. 
CONSTERNATION, s. Amazement. L. consternatio: con, together, 

and sterno, to spread, or throw down. 
CONSTIPATE, v. To thicken ; to make costive. L. constipo: con, 

tog-ether, and stipo, to stuff. 
CONSTITUENT, s. A necessary part; one who appoints. L. consti- 

tuens. See CONSTITUTE. 
CONSTITUTE, v. To form; to appoint. L. constituo; con, together, 

and staiuo, to establish : sto, to stand. 
CONSTITUTION, s. The act of constituting ; established form of 

government; frame. L. constitutio. See CONSTITUTE. 
CONSTRAIN, v. To compel; to hinder by force. F. constraindre : 

L. con, together, and stringo, to bind. 
CONSTRUE, v. To explain; to interpret. L. construo ,• from con, 

together, and struo, to arrange. 
CONSTRUCT, v. To frame ; 'to build ; to form in the mind. L. con- 

structus, p. part, of construo: con, together, and struo, to pile up. 
CONSTRUCTION, s. The act of constructing; structure; grammatical,, 

logical, or mathematical, arrangement. L. constructio. See CON- 
• STRUCT. 
CONSUL, s. A species of public officer. L. consul ; from consulo, 

to advise, or provide for. 
CONSUME, v. To spend; to destroy. L. consumo : con, with, and 

sumo, to take. 
CONSUMMATE, v. To complete. L. consummo ; from summus, 

the top. 
CONSUM'MATE. adj. Complete; accomplished. L. consummates, 

See the verb. 
CONSUMPTION, s. The act of consuming ; wasting; state of being 

consumed. L. consumptio. See CONSUME. 



CON— CON 

CONSULT, v. To deliberate together; to ask advice of; to search into, 
or examine — as, to consult an author. L. consulto, frequent, of con- 
sub : con, together, and salio, to leap ; signifying, to run or act in 
accordance. 

CONTACT, s. Touch; junction. L. contactus, p. part, of contingo : 
con, together, and tango, to touch. 

CONTAGION, s. Infection, from contact. L. contagio. See CON- 
TACT. 

CONTAIN, v. To hold; to comprise. L. contineo: con, together, and 
teneo, to hold. 

CONTAMINATE, v. To corrupt. L. contamino, to mix one thing 
with another. 

CONTEMN, v. To despise. L. contemno: con, and temno, to despise: 
G. temno, to cut off. 

CONTEMPLATE, v. To study. L. contemplor: templum, a recess. 

CONTEMPORARY, or COTEMPORARY. adj. Existing at the same 
time. L. con, together, and temporis, gen. of tempus, time. 

CONTEMPT, s. Act of despising others; scorn. L. contemptio: con- 
temptus, p. part, of contemno. See CONTEMN. 

CONTEND, v. To strive in opposition. L. contendo,- from con, toge- 
ther, and tendo, to stretch out. 

CONTENT, adj. Satisfied. L. contentus, p. part, of contineo: con, 
with, and teneo, to hold fast. 

CONTENTION, s. Act of contending ; strife. L. contentio. See 
CONTEND. 

CONTEST, v. To dispute. L. contestor: con, together, and testor, to 
aver, or call evidence. 

CONTEXT, s. General connexion or body of a discourse. L. con- 
textus, woven together. 

CONTIGUOUS, adj. Meeting, so as to touch. L. contiguus; from 
contingo. See CONTACT. 

CONTINENCE. 5. Self-restraint; chastity. F. continence: L. conti- 
nentia. See CONTINENT. 

CONTINENT, adj. Unchangeable; chaste. F. continent: L. conti- 
nent, part, of contineo: con, together, and teneo, to hold. 

CONTINENT. s. A vast tract of land. F. continent. See the ad- 
jective. 

CONTINGENT, adj. Happening by chance ; accidental. L. contin- 
gent, part, of contingo: con, together, and tango, to touch. 

CONTINUE, v. To remain; to extend; to protract. L. continuo: con, 
together, and teneo, to hold. 

CONTINUITY, s. Connexion ; continuation. F. continuity. See 
CONTINUE. 

CONTORTION, s. Twist; contraction. L. contortio; from con, toge- 
ther, and tortus, p. part, of torqueo, to twist. 

CONTRACT', v. To draw together; to lessen in extent ; to bargain. 
L. contr actum, sup. of contraho: con, together, and traho, to draw. 

CONTRACT, s. A bargain. See the verb. 

CONTRACTION, s. The act of shortening. L. contradio. See 
CONTRACT. 

CONTRADICT, v. To deny, or oppose verbally. L. contradictum % 
sup; of cmtradico: contra, against, and dim, to speak. 



CON— CON 

CONTRADISTINGUISH, v. To distinguish, by qualities, not only 

different, but opposite. L. contra, opposite to, and distinguish. 
CONTRARY, adj. Opposite; adverse. L. contrarius: contra, against, 

or opposite to. 
CONTRAST, s. Opposition, in form, colours, &c. F. contraste : L, 

contra, opposite to. 
CONTRA VALIDATION, s. A defence erected parallel with another. 

L. contra, against, and vallum, a defence- 
CONTRAVENE, v. To oppose; to obstruct; to baffle. L. contravenio: 

contra, against, and venio, to come. 
CONTRIBUTE, v. To give aid, in conjunction with one or more 

persons. L. contribuo: con, together, and tribuo, to give. 
CONTRITE, adj. Penitent. L. contritus, p. part, of contero: con, 

together, and tritus, p. part, ofiero, to rub, or break. 
CONTRIVE, v. To plan. F. controuver: comme, as or like, and trou- 

ver, to find. 
CONTROL, s. Check; restraint. F. controle ,• from centre, against, 

and rolle, a list : meaning, a document capable of discovering the 

errors of an account. 
CONTROVERT, v. To dispute. L. controverto; from contra, against, 

and verto, to turn. 
CONTUMELY, s. Contempt; reproach. L. contumelia,- from contra, 

against, and tumeo, to swell. 
CONTUSION, s. Bruise. L. contusio: con, together, and tusus, p. 

part, of tundo, to beat. 
CONVALESCENT, adj. Recovering strength. L. convalescens, part. 

of convalesco, to grow strong: valeo, to be able. 
CONVENE, v. To assemble. L. convenio : con, together, and venio, 

to come. 
CONVENIENT, adj. Suitable; commodious. L. conveniens, part, of 

convenio: con, together, and venio, to come. 
CONVENT, s. A monastery, or nunnery. L. conventus, p. part, of 

convenio. See CONVENE. 
CONVENTICLE, s. A little assembly; a small congregation of schis- 
matics, or sectarians ; a secret assembly. L. conventiculum, dim. of 

conventus, a meeting. See CONVENE. 
CONVENTION, s. Act of convening ; an assembly; a contract. L. 

conventio. See CONVENE. 
CONVERGE, v. To tend towards one point. L. convergo: con, toge- 
ther, and vergo, to incline. 
CONVERSANT, adj. Acquainted with, in relation to things. F. 

conversant, part, of converser. See CONVERSE. By this species 

of conversation, things are personified. 
CONVERSED v. To talk together. L. conversor,- from con, together, 

and verso, to turn often. 
CON' VERSE, s. A term in geometry and logic, signifying opposition. 

L. convwsus, p. part, of converto. See CONVERT. 
CONVERT, v. To change ; to appropriate. L. converto ; con, with, 

and verto, to turn. 
CONVEY, v. To carry; to impart. L. conveko : con, with, and veho, 

to carrv, 



CON— COR 

CONVICT', v. To prove guilty. L. convictum, sup. of amvinco, to 

vanquish, or convict. 
CONVICTION, s. Proof of guilt ; act of convincing ; state of being 

convinced. See CONVICT. 
CONVINCE, v. To overcome or satisfy by argument. L. convinco, 

to vanquish, or convince. 
CONVIVIAL, adj. Social? cheerful. L. convivialis : con, together, 

and v ivo, to live. 
CONVOCATION, s. Act of convoking ; an assembly summoned by 

authority. L. convocatio. See CONVOKE. 
CONVOKE, v. To assemble by authority. L. convoco: con, together, 

and voco, to call. 
CONVOLUTION, s. The act or state of rolling together. L. convo- 

lutio. See CONVOLVE. 
CONVOLVE, v. To roll one part upon another. L. convolvo : con, 

together, and volvo, to roll. 
CON'VOY. s. A guard, when passing by land or sea; things guarded. 

F. convoi : L. con, with, and F. voir, to see. 
CONVULSE, v. To shake violently into disorder. L. convulsus, p. 

part, of convelb: con, together, and vello, to tug. 
COOK. s. One who dresses and prepares food for the table. L. co- 

quus; from coquo, to boil. 
CO-OPERATE, v. To labour or act jointly. L. con, together, and 

operate. 
CO-ORDINATE, adj. Having the same rank. L. con, together, and 

ordinatus, p. part, of ordino, to range. 
COPIOUS, adj. Plentiful. L. copiosus,- from copia, plenty. 
COPULA, s. In logic, signifies the word which unites the subject and 

predicate of a proposition. L. copula,- from copulo, to couple. See 

COUPLE. 
COPULATIVE, adj. A term in grammar and logic. L. copulativus. 

See COUPLE. 
COPY. s. Exact resemblance. F. copie: L. copia, fulness; because, 

a copy contains the whole matter or form of the original. 
COQUET, s. A female who assiduously endeavours to gain admirers. 

F. coquette,- from queter, to search. 
CORAM NON JUDICE. Before an improper tribunal. L. coram, 

before, non, not, judice, abl. of judex, a judge. 
CORDIAL. 5. A stimulating- or comforting medicine. F. cordial: 

L. cor, the heart. 
CORDIAL, adj. Comforting; sincere; friendly. F. cordial: L. cor, 

the heart. 
CORDON, s. An extensive line of soldiers, to prevent communication 

between different places. F. cordon, a string. 
CORE. s. The inner part, generally of vegetables. F. coeur.- L. cm', 

the heart. 
CORNEA, s. The horny coat of the eye. L. cornea,- from cornu, a horn. 
CORNUCOPIA, s. A heathenish fiction, referring to the horn said to 

have been broken off from Aehelbus, by Hercules. L. cornucopia • 

cornu, a horn, and copia, abundance. 
CORNUTED. Horned. L. cornutus .- cornu, a horn. 



COR— COS 

COROLLA.RY. s. Conclusion ; surplus of a train of reasoning. L. 

corolh, a little crown : meaning", figuratively, that which crowns or 

finishes the whole. 
CORONATION, s. The act of crowning-. L. corona, a crown. 
CORONER, s. An officer whose chief duty is to inquire, on the part 

of a sovereign, or state, how any violent or accidental death was 

caused. F. coronaire : L. corona, a crown. 
CORONET, s. The crown of a nobleman. L. corona, a crown; 

through the Italian dim. coronetta. 
CORPORAL, adj. Relating- to the body. L. corporalis : corpus, a 

body, or any substance. 
CORPORATION, s. A chartered company; persons embodied. L. 

corpus, a body. 
CORPOREAL, adj. Having a body; not spiritual. L. corporeus. See 

CORPORAL. 
CORPS, s. A body of soldiers; a professional body, (pronounced core.) 

F. corps : L. corpus, a bodv- 

COUPS DIPLOMATIQUE. The diplomatic body. F. corps, a body. 

and diplomatique, diplomatic. 
CORPSE, s. A dead human body. L. corpus, a body. 
CORPULENT, adj. Large in flesh. L. corpukntus,- from corpus, the 

body, and lentus, heavy. 
CORPUSCLE, s. A particle of matter. L. corpusculum, a small body; 

dim. of corpus, a body. 
CORRECT, adj. Revised or finished with correctness; free from faults, 

L. correct us, p. part, of corrigo: con, and rego, to rule. 
CORRELATIVE, adj. Having reciprocal relation. L, con, together, 

and relative. 
CORRESPOND, v. To communicate by alternate letters ; to fit. L. 

con, together, and respondeo, to answer. 
CORRIGIBLE, adj. Relating to that which can be amended. F. cor- 
rigible : L. corrigo, to set right; con, and rego 9 to govern, 
CORROBORATE, v. To strengthen by additional evidence. L. cor- 

roboro; from con, together, and roboro, to strengthen. 
CORRODE, v. To consume slowly. L. corrodo, to gnaw. 
CORRUPT, adj. Unsound; infected; depraved. L. corruptus, p. part. 

of corrumpo: con, together, and rumpo, to break. 
CORSE, s. A term, used by poets, to denote a dead human body. 

See CORPSE. 
CORUSCANT. adj. Glittering. L» coruscans, part, ofcorusco, to glitter. 
COSMETIC, adj. Beautifying. F. cosmetique: G. kosmetikos; from 

Jeosmeo, to adorn. 
COSMOGONY, s. The formation Of the world. G. kosmos, the 

world, and gone, generation. 
COSMOGRAPHER. s. One who describes the world. G. kosmos, 

the world, and grapho, to write. 
COSMOLOGY, s. The science of the general system of the world. 

G. kosmos, the world, and logos, a word or description. 
COSMOPOLITAN, or COSxMOPOLlTE. 5. A citizen of the world- 

G. kosmos, the world, and polites, a citizen. 
COSTUME, s. In painting, the different customs of times and places; 
with which a painter must conform, with regard to dress, &c. F. 
F 



COT— COU 

COTERMINOUS, adj. Terminating at the same point ; ending at the 

same time ; having a common boundary. L. con, together, and 

terminus, a boundary or limit. 
COTILLON, or COTILLION, s. A species of dance. F. cotillon; 

meaning, originally, a petticoat : that part of the dress being in the 

dance, occasionally extended by the hands. 
COUCH, s. A seat for repose; a bed. F. coucke, a bed. 
COUCHANT. adj. Couching; squatting. F. couchant, part, of coucher, 

to lie down. 
COUNSELLOR, s. An adviser. L. consiliarius. See CONSULT. 
COUNT, v. To number; to reckon; to impute or charge; to depend 

on. L. computo. See COMPUTE. 
COUNT, s. One of a certain rank of nobility, on the continent of Eu- 
rope. In Latin, the counts are called comites, (a title first used in 

the German empire,) from being the king's attendants. L. comes, 

a companion. 
COUNTENANCE, s. Form of the face ; patronage. F. contenance.- 

L. con, together, and tenens, part of tento, to hold, or remain : mean- 
ing, that all the features are contemplated in one view. 
COUNTER, adj. Contrary; opposite. F. contre: L. contra, against. 
COUNTERACT, v. To labour against. See COUNTER and ACT. 
COUNTERFEIT, s. A deceitful imitation. F. contrefait, part, of 

contrefaire; from contre, against, and faire, to make. 
COUNTERMAND, v. To repeal a command. F. contremander.- L. 

contra, against, and mando, to give orders. 
COUNTERMARCH, v. To march back, over the same ground. See 

COUNTER and MARCH. 
COUNTERMINE, v. To perforate an enemy's mine; to defeat one 

stratagem by another. See COUNTER and MINE. 
COUNTERMOTION. s. Contrary motion. See COUNTER and 

MOTION 
COUNTERPOISE, v. To counterbalance. See COUNTER and 

POISE. . 
COUNTERSIGN, v. To sign additionally, as secretary or clerk. See 

COUNTER and SIGN. 
COUNTERTENOR, s. A term in music. See COUNTER and 

TENOR. 
COUNTERVAIL, v. To oppose with an equal degree of power. L. 

contra, against, and valeo, to be able. 
COUNTERWORK, v. To counteract. See COUNTER and WORK. 
COUNTY, s. That division of a country , formerly placed under the 

jurisdiction of a count, now called, in England, a sheriff. See 

COUNT. 
COUP DE GRACE. The stroke which terminated the sufferings of 

those who had been broken on the wheel. F. coup, a stroke, de, of, 

grace, favour, or mercy. 
COUP DE MAIN. A bold and sudden enterprise. F. coup, a blow 

or action, de, of, main, the hand. 
COUP D'ESSAI. First experiment; first trial. F. 
COUP IP CEIL. The entire view, suddenly taken. F. coup, a stroke, 

de, of, ceil, the eye. 
COUPLE, s. A means of joining two things; two; a male and his fe~ 



cou— cm 

male. F. couple : L. copula ; from copulo, to join : con, together, 

and pulsus, p: part, of pello, to drive. 
COURAGE, s. Bravery, of the highest kind ; active fortitude. F. 

courage: coeur, the heart: L. cor. 
COURIER, s. A messenger. F. courier: L. curro, to run. 
COURSE, s. Race; progress; way. F. course.- L. cursus, a race; from 

curro, to run. 
COURTEOUS. • adj. Having the refined manners of a court; polite. 

F. courtois; cour, a court. L. extra. 

COUSIN, s. Any one collaterally related, more remotely than a bro- 
ther or a sister. F. cousin .• L. consanguineus : con, together, and 
sanguis, blood. See GERMAN. 

COVE. s. A recess; a circular bay. F. cove, a pigeon-hole ; couver, 
to he hidden. 

COVENANT, s. A contract. F. 'convenant, part, of convenir, to agree: 
L. con, together, and venio, to come. 

COVERT, s. A shelter; a hiding place. F. couvert, shelter: couver, 
to lurk. 

COVERT, adj. Sheltered ; having the legal privileges of a married 
woman. See the noun. 

COVERTURE, s. In law, the condition of a woman during her mar- 
riage. See FEME COVERT. 

COVEY, s. A brood of partridges. F. couvee; from couver, to brood 
or sit on. 

CRAZY, adj. Shattered; mentally deranged. F. ecraze, part, of ecra- 
ser, to break into pieces. 

CREATE, v. To originate; to make. L. creatus, p. part, of creo, to 
make. 

CREATURE, s. Thing created. See CREATE. 

CREDENCE, s. Belief. L. credens, part, of credo, to believe. 

CREDENDA. Things to be believed ; articles of religious faith. L, 
credenda; to be believed: a part, of credo. 

CREDENTIAL, s. That which authorizes belief. See CREDENCE. 

CREDIBLE, adj. Worthy of belief. L. oredibilis. See CREDENCE. 

CREDIT, s. Belief; trust; respectability; allowance. F. credit : L. 
creditus, p. part, of credo, to believe. 

CREDITOR, s. One to whom another is indebted. L. creditor. See 
CREDIT. 

CREDULITY, s. Incautious belief. F. credulife. See CREDIT. 

CREED, s. Form of belief. L. credo, I believe ; which is the first 
word in the apostle's creed. 

CRESCENT, s. A resemblance of the moon, when apparently increas- 
ing ; adj. increasing. L. crescens, part, of cresco, to increase. 

CRESCIVE. adj. Increasing. L. cresco, to increase. 

CREST, s. A plume of feathers; a term in heraldry; curve of a horse's 
neck. L. crista, a tuft, or plume. 

CRIMINAL, adj. Faulty; chargeable with a crime. L. crimen, a crime. 

CRISIS, s. The height, or turn of a disease; critical time. L. crisis: 

G. krisis: krino, to judge: because the symptoms have become more 
evident, and an opinion is the more easily formed. 

CRITERION, s. A mark; a sign. G. kriierion,- from krites, a judge. 
CRITIC, s. One who is fond of examining and observing. G.kritikosi 
krites, a judge; krino, to judge. 



cm— cur 

CRITICAL, adj. In the manner of a critic; exact; nicely judicious, 

See CRITIC. 
CROSIER, s. A bishop's staff. F. crosier.- L. crux, a cross. 
CRUCIBLE, s. A chemist's melting-pot. Low L. crucibulum: G. 

chrusos, gold ; alluding to its use in melting this metal. 
CRUCIFIX, s. A representation of Christ's death. L. crucifixus : 

cruris, gen. of crux, a cross, andjfo^s, fastened. 
CRUDE, adj. Unfinished ; impure. L. crudus, raw. 
CRUEL, adj. Barbarous; delighting to hurt others; inhuman. L» 

crudelis; from crudus, raw, rough, or untutored. 
CRUISE. 5. A sea-adventure. F. croise: L. crux, a cross. The first 

cruisers displayed the cross, and plundered only infidels. 
CRURAL, adj. Belonging to the leg. F. crural: L. cruris, gen. of 

crus, a leg. 
CRUSADE, s. An expedition against infidels. F. croisade. See 

CRUISE. 
CRUSTACEOUS. adj. Covered with a shell, in joints,— not with one 

continued, uninterrupted shell. A lobster is crustaceous ; an oyster, 

testaceous. L. crustatus: crusta, a crust. 
CRYPTOGRAPHY, s. The science of writing secret characters; 

ciphers. G. krupto, to hide, and grapho, to write. 
CRYSTAL, s. A hard, transparent, colourless body. F. crystal: L. 

crystallus: G. krustallos, ice. 
CUBE. s. A regular, solid body, having six square and equal sides, 

and all its angles right angles : hence, the arithmetical term, cube- 
root. L. cubus: G. kubos, a die, such as that used in gambling. 
CUBIT, s. An ancient measure, equal to the length of a man's arm 

from the elbow to the extremity of the fingers; about eighteen 

inches. L. cubitum,- from cubitus, an elbow. 
CUI BONO. What advantage will result ? L. cui, to what, bono, 

good : (dat. ofquis and bonus.) 
CUI MALO. What mischief will result ? L. cut, to what, malo, evil: 

(dat. of quis and malus.) 
•CULINARY, adj. Relating to a kitchen. L. culina, a kitchen. 
CULL. v. To choose. F. cueillir, to gather. 

CULPABLE, adj. Blamable ; criminal. L. culpabilis : culpa, a fault. 
CULPRIT, s. One accused. L. culpa, a fault. 
CULTIVATE, v. To improve ; to till. F. cultiver; L. cultum, sup. of 

colo, to till. 
CUM MULTIS ALUS. With many other persons, or things. L. 

cum, with, multis, many, aliis, others : (abl. pi. of multus and 

alius. ) 
CUMULATIVE, adj. Heaping one thing upon another; adding one 

thing to another. L. cumulus, a heap. 
CUPIDITY, s. Unlawful desire. L. cupiditas: cupio, to desire. 
CUPREOUS, adj. Partaking of copper. L..cupreus: cuprum, copper. 
CURATE, s. A clergyman paid to officiate for a superior. L. curator; 

from cur a, care. 
CURATOR, s. A superintendent. L. curator: cura, care. 
CURB. v. To restrain. F. courbir, to bend. 
CURE. v. To heal; to prepare for keeping. L. euro,- from cura, 

care, 



CUR— DAC 

CURFEW, s. A signal made in England, by the Normans, at a certain 
hour in the evening, when every housekeeper must extinguish his 
light. F. couvrezfeu, cover the fire. 
CURIOUS, adj. Inquisitive ; worthy of notice. L. curiosus; from cura, 

care, or concern. 
CURRENT, adj. Passing from one to another ; circulating. L. cur- 

reus, part, of curro, to run. 
CURRENT, s. A stream. — See the adjective. 
CURSORY, adj. Hasty. I,, cursor his : curso, to run backwards and 

forwards : freq. of. curro, to run. 
CURTAIL, v. To cut short; to diminish in length; to lessen. F. 

courte, short, and tailler, to cut. 
CURVE, v. To bend. L. curvo, to bend. 
CURVET, v. To play as a horse. L. curvo, to bend. 
CURVILINEAR, adj. Relating to a curved line. L. citrvus, bent, 

and linea, a line. 
CUSTODY, s. Charge; confinement. L. custodia,- from custos, a 

keeper. 
CUSTOS-ROTULORUM. s. An officer who has the custody of the 

county-records. L. custos, a keeper, rotulorum, of the rolls [of 

written parchment or paper. ] 
CUTANEOUS, adj. Relating or belonging to the skin. L. cutis, the 

skin. 
CUTICLE, s. The outermost covering of the body ; that very tender 

skin which rises in a blister. L. cuticula, dim. of cutis, the skin. 
CUTLER, s. One who makes, repairs, or sells knives. F. coutelier; 

L. culler, a knife. 
CYCLE, s. A circle ; a revolution of time. G. kuJclos, a circle. 
CYCLOID, s. A species of geometrical curve. G. kukloeides : kuMos 9 

a circle, and eidos, a shape. 
CYCLOPAEDIA, s. A book which treats of all the sciences. G. kuklos 9 

a circle, and paideia, instruction. 
CYCLOPS, s. A fabled race of men, of gigantic stature, who inha- 
bited the western part of Sicily, and were said to have only one eye, 

in the middle of the forehead. L. cyclopes .- G. kuklops : comp. of 

kuklos, a circle, and ops, an eye. 
CYGNET. s. A young swan. L. cycnus, or cygnus, a swan. 
CYLINDER, s. A body having two flat surfaces, and one circular. L. 

cylindrus : G. kulindreo, to roll. 
CYLINDROIDE. s. That which in form resembles a cylinder : comp, 

of CYLINDER, and G. oidos, form. 
CYMBAL. s. A species of musical instrument. L. cymbalum ; from 

cymba, a cup. G. kumhos, a cavity. 
CYNIC, s. A follower of Diogenes; a disagreeable, snarling fellow* 

L. cynicus: G. kunikos; from kuon, a dog. 

D. 

DACTYLE. s. A poetical foot, consisting of one long, and two short 
syllables ; as numtne. L. dactylus : G. daktuios, a finger : alluding 
to the joints of a finger. 

F2 



DAM— DEC 

DAMAGE, s. Injury, which lessens the value ; hurt. F. dommage: 

L. damnum, loss. 
DAMN. v. To condemn; to curse. L. damno, to condemn: from 

damnum, injury. 
DATA. Thing's given, or premises, as grounds of argument. — Sing-. 

DATUM. L. dolus, p. part, of do, to give. 
DATE. s. Period of time when an action is performed, or when an 

event happened. L. datus, p. part, of do, to give, or make. 
DATIVE, adj. A case in grammar, denoting to whom given. L. da~ 

tivus: datus, p. part, of do, to give. 
DAUNT, v. To intimidate. F. dompter : L. domito, to tame. 
DEACON, s. One of a certain order in the church. L. diaconus: G. 

diahoneo, to minister. 
DEAN. s. One of a certain order in the episcopal church. F. doyen : 

L. decanus: from.the G. dtka, ten; because, a dean was originally 

placed over ten prebendaries. 
DEBAR, v. To prevent. F. de, from, and barre, a bolt or bar. 
DEBARK, v. To come on shore. F. debar quer: de, from, and barque, 

a boat. 
DEBASE, v. To degrade ; to adulterate. See BASE. 
DEBATE, v. To dispute; to deliberate. F. debatre.- L. de, concern- 
ing, and batuo, to combat. 
DEBENTURE, s. Written evidence of a debt, signed on account of 

a state or public company. F. debenture : L. debeo, to owe. 
DEBILITY, s. Weakness; feebleness. L. debilitas: de, from, and 

habilitas, ability. See ABILITY. 
DEBIT, s. In mercantile language, signifies the debtor side of an ac- 
count, or an item placed at the debtor side L. debitus, p. part, of 

debeo, to owe. 
DEBT. s. Something due. L. debitum,- from debeo, to owe. 
DECADE, s. The sum often. F. decade.- G. deka, ten. 
DECADENCE, s. Decline; fall. F. decadence: L. de, from, and ca~ 

dens, part, of eado, to fall. 
DECALOGUE, s. The Ten Commandments. G. dekalogos: deka, 

ten, and logos, a word. 
DECALVATE. v. To make bald. L. cahus, bald. 
DECAMP, v. To go from the site of a camp; to depart. F. decamper: 

de, from, and camp, a camp. 
DECAPITATE, v. To behead. L. decapito : de, from, and caput, 

the head. 
DECAY, v. To become infirm; to rot. F. dechoir : L. decado: de, 

from, and cado, to fall. 
DECEASE, s. Death. L,.decessus: decedo, to depart : de, from, and 

eedo, to go. 
DECEDENT, s. In law, one who has died. L. decedens, part, of de- 

eedo % to depart. 
DECEIT, s. Fraud ; artifice. L. deceptio ; from deceptus, p. part, of 

decipio : de, from, and capio, to take. 
DECEIVE, v. To use deceit. L. deeipio. See DECEIT. 
DECEMBER. 5. The twelfth month ; but, formerly, the tenth, when 

the year Vegan in March, L. December? from decern^ ten. 



DEC— DEF 

DECEMVTRATE. s. The office of the ten governors of Rome. L 

decemmratus : decern, ten, and wW, men. 
DECENNARY, s. A civil division, comprising-, by a law of Alfred. 

ten freeholders and their families. L. decern, ten. 
DECENT, adj. Becoming; modest. L. deceits, part, of deceo, to be- 
come. 
DECEPTION, s. The act of deceiving. This word conveys a less 

immoral meaning than deceit; though it is derived from the same 

word. L. deceptio. See DECEIT. 
DECIDE, v. To conclude ; to determine. L. decido: de, from, and 

csedo, to cut. 
DECIDUOUS, adj. Losing the foliage at the end of a season. L 

deciduus : decido t de, from, and cado, to fall. 
DECIMAL, adj. Numbered by ten. L. decimus, the tenth : decim, 

ten. 
DECIMATE, v. To take the tenth part. L. decimo : decern, ten. 
DECISIVE, adj. Conclusive ; determined. F. decisif. See DECIDE. 
DECLAIM, v. To harangue ; to speak to the passions. L. declarao 

de, concerning, and clamo, to call out. 
DECLARE, v. To publish; to assert. L. declaro; from de, concern- 
ing, and claro, to brighten. 
DECLENSION, s. Act of declining ; declination ; decay ; inflexion 

of nouns. L. declinatio. See DECLINE. 
DECLINE, v. To bend from ; to refuse ; to decay. L. declino .- de, 

from, and clino, to bend. 
DECLIVITY, s. Inclination, reckoned downwards. L. declivitas : de, 

from, and clivus, a slope. 
DECOCTION, s. Act of boiling any thing; an extract by boiling. F. 

decoction: L. decoctum: decoquo : de, from, and coquo, to boil. 
DECOMPOSE, v. To separate; to disturb. L. de, from, and compose. 
DECORATE, v. To adorn. L. decoro: decor, beauty. 
DECOROUS, adj. Decent; proper. L. decarus. See DECORUM. 
DECORUM, s. Decency ; propriety. L. decorum: decor, decency. 
DECREASE, v. To diminish. L. decresco: de, signifying from, or 

deprivation, and cresco, to grow. 
DECREE, v. To enact; to resolve. L. decretum, sup. of decerno: de, 

concerning, and ctrno, to see, or judge. 
DECREPIT, adj. Infirm. L. decrepitus,- from de, and crepo, to creak, 

or jingle. 
DECRETAL, adj. Relating to a decree. F. decretal. See DECREE. 
DEDICATE, v. To assign or devote to a patron ; to appropriate. L. 

dedico : de, from, and dico, to appoint. 
DEDUCE, v. To draw, in a connected series ; to infer. L. deduco : 

de, from, and duco, to draw, or bring. > 

DEDUCT, v. To subtract. L. deductum, sup. of deduco: de, from, 

and duco, to draw. 
DEED. s. Written evidence of a grant, or of any legal act ; action ; 

exploit ; reality. L. dedi, I have given : perfect tense of do, to 

give. 
DEFACE, v. To disfigure ; to erase. L. de, from, and face. 
DE FACTO. From the fact. L. de, from, facto, abl. of factum, a 

thing done. See DE JURE, 



DEF— DEL 

DEFAME, v. To injure in character. L. de, from, and famt. 
DEFEASANCE, s. Act of annulling- a contract; the written instru- 
ment, in which the defeasance is contained. F. See DEFEASIBLE. 

DEFEASIBLE, adj. Subject to be annulled or abrogated. F. defaire, 

to undo. L. de, from, and facio, to make. 
DEFEAT, s. Overthrow. F. defeat e: defait, part, of defaire, to undo : 
L. de, from, and f ado, to make. 

DEFECT, s. Absence of something necessary ; imperfection. L. de- 
fectus, p. part, of deficio: de, from, and facio, to make. 

DEFECTION, s. Desertion ; revolt. L. defectio. See DEFECT. 

DEFEND, v. To protect; to vindicate. L. defendo: de, from, and 
fendo, to guard. 

DEFER, v. To put off; to delay. L. differo: de, from, and fero, to 
cany. 

DEFERENCE, s. Respect. F. deference.- L. de,from, and fero, to carry, 
or incline : that is, to withdraw to a respectful distance. 

DEFICIENT, adj. Defective ; incomplete. L. deficiens. See DE- 
FECT. 

DEFINE, v. To describe precisely ; to explain. L. dejinio; from de, 
concerning-, and finis, a boundary. 

DEFINITE, adj. Limited; certain. L. definitus. See DEFINE. 

DEFINITION, s. Act of defining ; precise description ; explanation. 
L. definitio. See DEFINE. 

DEFLECTION, or DEFLEXION, s. Deviation. L. deflexus, p. part, 
of deflecto: de, from, and ftecto, to bend. 

DEFLUXION. s. In medical language, the flow of humours down- 
wards. L. defiuxio .• dejiuxus, part, of defluo : de, from, and Jluo, 
A,o flow. 

DEFRAUD, v. To cheat. L. defraudo: fraus, (gen. fraudis) deceit. 

DEGENERATE, v. To become inferior to a progenitor. L. degenero: 
de, from, and genus, a race ; that is, to fall from its own kind. 

DEGRADE, v. To lower in rank ; to disgrace. F. degrader } L. de, 
from, and gradus, a step, or degree. 

DEGREE, s. Relative situation; rank; measure. F. degr6 : L. de, 
from, and gradus, a step. 

DEIFY, v. To invest with the title of a god ; to adore as a god. F. 
deifier : L. deus, a god, andjfo, to be made. 

DEIGN, v. To think worthy ; to vouchsafe. F. daigner. L..dignor: 
dignus, worthy. 

DEIST. *. One who believes in God, but not in the Christian doc- 
trines. F. deiste,- from the L. deus, God. 

DEITY s. God; also a heathen god. F. deite: L. deus, God, or a 
god. G. Theos. 

DEJECT, v. To depress in spirits. L. dejectum, sup. of dejicio: de, 
from, and jacio, to throw. 

DE JURE. From the law; by law. L. de, from, jure, abl. of jus, 
right, or law. A king is said to be such de facto, when in possession 
of the throne, however obtained ; and de jure, when he has the he- 
reditary right. See DE FACTO. 

DELECTABLE, adj. Delightful. L. delectabilis : delecto, to allure. 

DELEGATE, v. To depute for a special purpose. L. delego; de, 
from, and lego, {legare,) to intrust, 



DEL— DEN 

BELETERIOUS. adj. Destructive 5 poisonous. L. deleterius: deleo, 

to blot out, or destroy. 
DELIBERATE, v. To weigh in the mind ; to hesitate. L. delibero: 

de. concerning", and libra, a balance. 
DELICATE, adj. Pleasing-; soft; weak. F. delicat: L. dellcatus : 

delicise, delights. See DELIGHT. 
DELICIOUS, adj. Sweet ; pleasant. F. delitieux. See DELICATE. 
DELIGHT, v. To please highly. L. delecto: de, from, and lacto,to 

allure. 
DELINEATE, v. To draw the lines of any thing-; to describe. L. 

delineo ,■ from de, concerning-, and linea, a line. 
DELINQUENT, s. One who commits a breach of trust. L. delin- 

quens, part, of delin quo, to omit: linquo, to forsake. 
DELIQUESCE, v. To become fluid. L. deliquesco: deliqueo, to melt. 
DELIVER, v. To release ; to relate; to assig-n. F.delivrer: L. de, 

from, and libero, to free. 
DELTA, s. A portion of land in the form of a triang-le ; so called, 

from its resemblance to the G. letter, delta, A. 
DELTOID, s. A term applied to a triang-ular muscle, for raising* the 

arm ; delta, (a) a letter of the Greek alphabet, and eidos, shape. 
DELUDE, v. To beguile. L. deludo,- from de, concerning, and ludo, 

to play, or mock. 
DELUGE, s. An immense, overwhelming flood. L. diluvium: diluo, 

to wash away. 
DEMAGOGUE, s. A leader of the rabble. G. demagogos,- from de- 
mos, the people, and agogos, a leader. 
DEMAND, v. To claim; to ask. F. demander.- L. de, from, and 

mando, to order. 
DEMESNE. 5. That part of an estate which is occupied by the lord 

"himself. Old F. : from the L. dominus, a lord. 
DEMISE, s. In law, a species of conveyance. The king of England's 

death, is, in law, termed the demise of the king, to his successor, of 

his crown and dignity, &c. F. demis, removed : L. demissus, p. 

part, of demitto : de, from, and mitto, to send away. 
DEMOCRACY, s. Government by the people. G. demohratia; from 

demos, the people, and krateomai, to govern. 
DEMOLISH, v. To throw down; to destroy. L. demolior : de, from, 

and moles, a heap. 
DEMON, s. A spirit, either good or bad; a devil. G. daimon, a 

spirit : daio, to know. 
DEMONSTRATE, v. To prove with the highest degree of certainty. 

L. demonstro : de, concerning, and monstro, to show. 
DEMUR, v. To delay a process in law, by some technical objection. 

F. demeurer.- L. demoror, to stop. 
DEMURE, adj. Grave ; of studied gravity. F. de, of, and mceurs, 

manners, or behaviour. 
DEMURRAGE, s. Allowance, by a merchant, for the detention of a 

ship beyond the time appointed. See DEMUR. 
DENDROLOGY, s. Natural history of trees. G. dendron, a tree, and 

logos, a discourse. 
DENOMINATE, v. To distinguish by a name. L. denomino- de, 

from, and nomino, to name ; nomen, a name. 



DEN— DEP 

DENOTE, v. To signify. L. denoto: de, concerning*, and noto, to 

mark. See NOTE. 
DENOUEMENT, s. The clearing- up of a plot. F. denouement; 
. from denouer, to untie. 
DENOUNCE, v. To threaten, or accuse, publicly. L. denuncio ; 

comp. of de, concerning, and nuntio, to acquaint. 
DE NOVO. Afresh; over again. L. de, from, and novo, abl. of novus, 

new. 
DENSE, adj. Set closely together; compact. L. densus ,- probably 

from dens, a tooth, or denies, teeth : alluding to the close arrange- 
ment of the teeth. 
DENTAL, adj. Relating to the teeth. L. dentis, gen. of dens, a 

tooth. 
DENTATED. adj. Having teeth, or the resemblance of teeth. L. 

dentatus. See DENTAL. 
DENTIFRICE, s. Toothpowder. L. dens, a tooth, and frico, to rub. 
DENTIST, s. A tooth-surgeon. See DENTAL. 
DENUDATE v. To strip. L. denudo: de, from, and nudo, to strip. 
DENY. v. Not to grant ; to refuse ; to contradict an accusation ; to 

disown. F. denier: L. denego: comp. of de, concerning, ne, not, 

and ago, to act. 
DEPART, v. To go away. L. de, from, and parlio, to divide. 
DEPEND, v. To hang; to be connected ; to rely. L. dependeo ; de, 

from, and pendeo, to hang. 
DEPICT, v. To describe. L. depictum, sup. of depingo: de, from, 

and pingo, to paint. 
D EPILATION, s. Act of stripping off the hair. L. de, from, and pilus, 

a hair. 
DEPLETION, s. The act of emptying. L. depletus, p. part, of depleo, 

to empty. 
DEPLORE, v. To lament. L. deploro ; from de, concerning, and plow, 

to bewail. 
DEPLOY, v. A military term, signifying to display, or spread out. F. 

deployer : L. dis, asunder, and plico, to fold. 
DEPONENT, s. One who deposes. L. deponens, part, ofdepono: de, 

concerning, and pono, to place or allege. 
DEPOPULATE, v. To unpeople. L. depopulor : de, from, and po- 

ptdus, people. 
DEPORT, v. To carry off. L. deporto: de, from, and porto, to carry. 
DEPORTMENT, s. Behaviour. F. deportement .- L. porto, to carry. 
DEPOSE, v. To remove, as a monarch from his throne ; to attest. L. 

depositum, sup. ofdepono: de, from, and pono, to place; or de, con- 
cerning, and pono, to allege. 
DEPOSIT, v. To leave for security, or as a pledge. L. depositwn, 

sup. ofdeponv: de, from, and pono, to place. 
DEPOT, s. A public store-house. F. depot. See DEPOSIT. 
DEPRAVE, v. To corrupt. L. depravo: pravus, crooked, or knavish. 
DEPRECATE, v. To pray against. • L. deprecor : de, from, and precor, 

to pray. 
DEPRECIATE, v. To lower in value. L. depretio; comp. of de, from, 

and pretio. [its usual] price. 



DEP— DES 

DEPREDATION, s. Act of plundering. L. deprscdaiio .• de, from, 
and praedor, to rob. 

DEPRESS, v. To press down ; to deject. L. depressum, sup. of de> 
primo : de, from, and- premo, to press. 

DEPRIVE, v. To bereave ; to prevent from enjoying 1 . L. de, from, 
and privo, to take away. 

DEPUTE, v. To send with a special commission ; to empower one to 
act instead of another. L. deputo : de, from, and puto, to lop. 

DEPUTY, s. One deputed ; one acting in place of another. F. de- 
pute: L. deputatus, p. part, of deputo. See DEPUTE. 

DERANGE, v. To put out of its accustomed rank or place ; to dis- 
order ; to render insane. F. deranger .• de, from, and rang, a row 
or place. 

DERELICTION, s. Desertion. L. derelidio: de, from, and relictus, p. 
part, of relinquo, to leave behind : re, back, and linquo, to leave. 

DERIDE, v. To mock or scorn. L. derideo ; from de, concerning, and 
video, to laugh. 

DERISION, s. Mockery ; scorn. L. derisio ; from derisus, p. part, of 
derideo. See DERIDE. 

DERIVE, v. Originally meant to turn the course of water from its na- 
tural channel ; but it now means to deduce, or receive by transmis- 
sion. L. derivo .• de, from, and rivus, a river. 

DERNIERE-RESSORT. Last resource. . F. dernier, the last, and 
ressort, a spring or wheel. 

DEROGATE, v. To detract. L. derogo: de, from, and rogo, to desire, 
or boiTow. 

DESCANT, v. To discourse at large. L. dis, separately, and canto, to 
repeat often. 

DESCEND. To go downwards ; to sink 5 to fall, in order of inherit- 
ance, to a successor. L. descendo .- de, from, and scando, to climb. 

DESCRD3E. v. To delineate. L. describo : de, concerning, and scribo, 
to write. 

DESECRATE, v. To divert from the purpose to which any thing was 
originally consecrated. L. de, from, and sacro, to consecrate. 

DESERT', v. To forsake. L. deserturn, sup. of desero : de, from, and 
sero, to sow ; meaning to leave as a place unsown. 

DES'ERT. s. A wilderness. L. desertus, forsaken. See the verb. 

DESERT 7 , s. That which is deserved ; merit. L. deservitus, part, of 
deservio. See DESERVE. 

DESERVE, v. To merit. L. deservio.- de, for, and sei^vio, to serve. 

DESICCATE, v. To diy. L. desicco, to dry. 

DESIDERATUM, s. Something which inquiry hqs not yet been able 
to ascertain or discover ; something desired, (pi. desiderata.) L. de- 
sideratiis, p. part, of desidero, to desire. 

DESIGN, v. To intend, or invent. L. designo : de, out of, and signo, 
to mark. 

DESIGNATE, v. To point out, by some particular mark ; to name. L. 
designatum, sup. of designo. See DESIGN. 

DESIRE, v. To long for ; to wish ; to ask ; to entreat. F. dearer . 
L. desidero, freq. of desido : de, concerning, and sedeo, to sit, remain, 
or continue. 

DESIST, v. To cease. L. desisto : de, from, and swto, to stop, 



DES— DET 

BESOLATE. p. To depopulate; to lay waste. L. desoh ; from def 
and solus, alone. 

DESPAIR, v. To be without hope. L. despero : de, signifying* depri- 
vation, and spew, to hope. 

DESPERATE, adj. Without hope ; rash. L. desperatus. See DE- 
SPAIR. 

DESPICABLE, adj. Contemptible. L. despicabilis. See DESPISE. 

DESPISE, v. To contemn ; to disrespect. Old F. despiser: L. despicio, 
to look down. 

DESPOIL, v. To plunder. L. despolio : de, from, and spolio, t© 
plunder. 

DESPOND, v. To despair. L. despondeo : de, signifying privation, 
and spondeo, to promise. 

DESPOT, s. An absolute monarch 5 a tyrant. G. despotes, a ruler : 
deo, to bind, and podes, pi. of pons, a foot. 

DESTINE, v. To doom ; to design. L. destino, to bind fast together, 
fix, or appoint. 

DESTITUTE, adj. Friendless ; in want. L. destitutus, p. part, of 
destituo ; from de, without, and statuo, to place. 

DESTROY, v. To lay waste ; to consume. L. destruo : de, from, and 
struo, to build. 

DESTRUCTIVE, adj. Causing destruction. L. destructive ; from 
destructus, p. part, of destruo. See DESTROY. 

DESULTORY, adj. Roving from place to place ; inconstant ; unme- 
thodical. L. desultorius : desultum, sup. of desilio : de, from, and 
salio, to leap. 

DETACH, v. To separate ; to send away. F. detacher .- L. de, from, 
and taction, sup. of tango, to touch. 

DETAIL, v. To relate minutely ; to detach. F. detailler, to cut into 
pieces. 

DETAIN, v. To restrain from departure ; to hold. L. detineo : de, 
from, and teneo, to hold. 

DETECT, v. To discover. L. defectum, sup. ofdetego, to uncover. 

DETENTION, s. The act of detaining. L. detentio. See DETAIN. 

DETER, v. To intimidate. L. deterreo.- de, from, and terreo, to 
affright. 

DETERGENT, adj. Cleansing. L. detergens, part, of detergo ,- de, 
from, and tergo, to wipe. 

DETERMINE, v. To conclude ; to resolve. L. determino ,- de, con- 
cerning, and termino, to bound, or finish. 

DETERSIVE, adj. Cleansing. F. detersif. See DETERGENT. 

DETEST, v. To abhor. L detestor ; de, from, or against, and testor, 
to attest, or bear witness. 

DETHRONE, v. To deprive of regal power. L. de, from, arid throne. 

DETONATE, v. To make a loud noise, by explosion. L. detono ; 
comp. of de, from, and tono, to thunder. 

DETORT. v. To wrest from the original meaning or design. L. de- 
tortum, sup. of detorqueo „• de, from, and torqueo, to twist. 

DETOUR, s. An excursion 5 a military term, denoting a turning off 
from the direct road. F. detour ,- de, from, and tour, a journey. 

DETRACT, v. To take away ; to derogate. L. detractum, sup. of 
dttraho ; de s from, and traho^ to draw. 



DET— DIA 

DETRIMENT, s. Loss ; damage. L. detrimentum $ from detero, to 

bruise or beat out ; de, from, and tero, to rub. 
DETRUDE, v. To thrust out ; to thrust down. L. detrudo ,- de, from, 

and tnido, to thrust. 
DETRUNCATE, v. To lop off. L. detrunco ,- de, from, and trunco, 

to cut. 
DETRUSION. s. The act of detruding. L. detrusio ; from detrusus, 

p. part, of detrudo. See DETRUDE. 
DEUCE, s. Two. F. c/cwa; .• L. efao, two. 
DEUTERONOMY. 5. The second book or repetition of the law ; fifth 

book of Moses. G. deuteros, the second, and nomos, a law. 
DEVASTATE, v. To lay waste. L. devasto ,- vastus, waste. 
DEVELOP, v. To make known ; to explain. F. developer .- L. de, 

from, and velum, a veil. 
DEVEST, or DIVEST, v. To strip ; (witho/.) F. devester: L. de, 

from, and vestis, a garment. 
DEVIATE, v. To go out of the usual way ; to err. L. de, from, and, 

via, a way. 
DEVIOUS, adj. Out of the usual track ; erring. L. devius. See 

DEVIATE. 
DEVISE, v. To contrive ; to consider ; to grant by will. F. deviser : 

L. de, from or concerning, and video, to see. 
DEVOLUTION. 5. Act of devolving. L. devolutio ,- devolutus, p. part. 

ofdevolvo. See DEVOLVE. 
DEVOLVE, v. To roll from ; to pass from. L. devolvo ,- de, from, and 

volvo, to roll. 
DEVOTE, v. To dedicate 5 to appropriate ; to consign. L. devotum, 

sup. of devoveo, to vow. 
DEVOUR, v. To eat ravenously. L. devoro, to devour. 
DEVOUT- adj. Pious; devoted to holy duties. L. devotus. See 

DEVOTE. 
DEXTEROUS, adj. Expert. L. dexter,- from dextra, the right hand. 
DEXTRAL. adj. Relating to the right. L. dextra, the right hand. 
DIABETES, s. A morbid copiousness of urine. G. diabaites,- dia y 

through, and baino, to go. 
DIABOLICAL, adj. Atrocious. L. diabolicus ; G. diabolos,- dia t 

across, and ballo, to throw. 
DIACHYLUM, s. A medical preparation, composed of the juices of 

certain plants. G. dia, through, and chulon, juice. 
DIADEM, s. A royal crown. L. diadema ,- G. diadema,- dia, around, 

and deo, to bind. 
DLERESIS. 5. The disjunction of syllables; ( *' ) as, in cooperate,- G. 

diairesis ,- from dia, through, and aireo, to cut. 
DIAGONAL, adj. Reaching from one corner or angle to another, so 

as to divide a parallelogram into two equal parts. G. diagonios,- dia, 

through, and gonia, a corner. 
DIAGRAM, s. Delineation of a geometrical figure. G. diagramma ; 

dia, throngh, and gramma, a letter, or thing written. 
DIAL. s. A plate marked with the hours. L. dies, a day. 
DIALECT, s. The subdivision of a language, as the Attic or Doric 

forms of the Greek ; a mode of speech which a people haVe chosen 
G 



DIA— DIL 

or adopted ; language in general. G. dialektos ,• dia, through, and 

lego, to speak. 
DIALECTICS, s. The science of dialects ; logic. See DIALECT. 
DIALEIPSIS. s. The cavity or space formed by a wound. G. dia, 

between, and leipo, to leave. 
DIALOGUE, s. Formal conversation between two persons. G. dia- 

logos ,- from dia, between, and logos, a discourse. A colloquy relates 

to a conversation held by any number of persons. 
DIAMETER, s. A right line which divides the area of a circle into 

two equal parts. G. dia, through, and metreo, to measure. 
DIAMETRICAL, adj. Describing a diameter ; crossing in the manner 

of a diameter, and hence denoting division or opposition. See 

DIAMETER. 
DIAPASON, s. A musical chord which includes all the tones. G. dia, 

through, said pas, all. 
DIAPHRAGM, s. The midriff which divides the upper cavity of the 

body from the lower. G. diaphragma ,- dia, between, and phragma, 

a fence. 
DIARRHOEA, s. A flux of the body. L. diarrhoea : G. diarrhoia ,- 

comp. of dia, from, and rheo, to flow. 
DIARRHCETIC. adj. Purgative. See DIARRHOZA. 
DIARY, s. A daily register. L. diarium ,• from dim, a day. 
DICTATE, v. To speak as one having authority ; to direct. L. freq. 

v. dido, to speak often : dico, to speak. 
DICTION, s. Language ; expression. F. diction .- L. dictio ; dico, to 



DICTIONARY, s. A book containing the form and explanation of 

words. See DICTION. 
DIDACTIC, or DIDACTICAL, adj. Instructive. G. didaktikos ,- di- 

dasko, to teach. 
DIES NON. A day on which no legal proceedings can take place, 

or on which public offices are shut. L. dies, a day, and non, not. 
DIFFER, v. To disagree ; to vary. L. differo ,- dis, asunder, and fero, 

to carry. 
DIFFICULTY, s. Trouble ; opposition. L. dijficultas ; from difficilis,- 

dis, meaning deprivation, and facilis, easy. 
DIFFIDENT, adj. Not confident ; distrustful. L. diffidens, part, of 

diffido,- dis, without, and fides, faith. 
DIFFUSE, v. To spread. L. diffusum, sup. ofdiffundo; dis, asunder, 

andfundo, to pour out. 
DIGEST, v. To arrange ; to dissolve, as in the stomach. L. digestum, 

sup. of digero, to divide : di, asunder, and gero, to carry. 
DIGIT, s. Three-fourths of an inch. L. digitus, a finger, or finger's 

breadth. 
DIGNIFY, v. To exalt ; to honour. L. dignus, honourable, and^o, to 

be made. 
DIGNITARY, s. A clergyman of high rank. F. dignitaire : L. digni- 

tas, dignity : from dignus, worth)", or honourable. 
DIGRESS, v. To turn aside. L. dig)'essus, part, of digredior ,- dis, 

from, and gradus, a step. 
DILACERATE. v. To rend. L. dilacero ; dis, asunder, and lacero, to 

tear. 



DIL— DIS 

DILATE, v. To extend ; to enlarge. L. dllato ; dis, asunder, and la- 
tum, sup. of fero, to carry. 
DILATORY, adj. Prone to* defer. L. dilatarius. See DILATE. 
DILEMMA, s. An argument equally conclusive by contrary supposi- 
tions ; a difficult choice. - G. dilemma ,■ dis, double, and lemma, a 

thing" assumed ; lambano, to take. 
DILIGENT, adj. Constant in application ; zealously industrious ; assi- 
duous. F. diligent : L. diligens, part, of diligo, to favour or love 

greatly : de, concerning, and lego, to choose. 
D1LUCIDATE. v. To make clear. L. dilucido ,- from di, signifying 

through, and lucidus, bright : lucis, gen. of lux, light. 
DILUENT, a/lj. Having the power of diluting. L. diluens, part, of 

diluo. See DILUTE. 
DILUTE, v. To make thin. L. dilutum, sup. of diluo, to temper, or 

mix. 
DIME. s. A coin of the United States of America, in value the tenth 

of a dollar. Derived, through the F. from L. decimus, a tenth. 
DIMENSION, s. That which any thing measures ; extent. L. dimen- 

sio f dime-asm, part, of dimetior, to measure. 
DIMINISH, v. To lessen. L. diminuo : minor, less. 
DIOCESE, s. The circuit of a bishop's jurisdiction. G. dia, through, 

and oikesis, a habitation. 
DIOPTRIC, adj. Affording a medium for the sight; assisting the sight 

in viewing distant objects. G. dia, through, and optomai, to view. 
DIPHTHONG, s. A coalition of two vowels in one sound. G. diphthon- 

gos ; dis, twice, and phthongos, a sound. 
DIPLOMA, s. A certificate, conferring some privilege. G. diploma; 

from diplo-o, to fold. 
DIPLOMATIC, adj. Privileged ; relating to the office of an ambassa- 
dor. F. diplomatique. See DIPLOMA. 
DIPLOMATIQUE, adj. Relating to the office of an ambassador. F. 

See DIPLOMATIC. 
DIPTOTE. s._ A noun having only two cases. G. diptota; dis, twice, 

and ptosis, a case. 
DIRECT, adj. Straight ; immediate ; express. L. directus, p. part, of 

dirigo: di, signifying through, and rego, to guide. 
DIRUPTION. s. Act of rending. L. diruptio ; diruptus, p. part, of 

dirumpo ,• from dis, or di, asunder, and rumpo, to break. 
DISABLE, v. To deprive of ability. L. dis, signifying deprivation, and 

able. 
DISBURSE, v. To pay ; to expend. L. dis, from, and bursa, a purse. 
DISASTER, s. Originally meant the supposed blast or stroke of an 

unfavourable planet ; it now denotes misfortune. F. disastre : G. 

dus, evilly, and aster, a star. 
DISCARD, v. To lay aside or throw away cards, when playing a game; 

to dismiss. L. dis, asunder, and CARD. 
DISCERN, v. To distinguish; todesciy. L. discerno; dis, asunder, and 

cerno, to perceive. 
DISCIPLE, s. A scholar ; a follower. L. discipulus ,- from disco, to 

learn. 
DISCIPLINE, s. Education ; rule or method of government, &c. L. 

disciplina. See DISCIPLE. 



DIS— DIS 

DISCLAIM, v. To disown ; to disavow. L. dis, meaning' separation, 
and claim. 

DISCONSOLATE, adj. Comfortless; sorrowful. L. dis, meaning de- 
privation, and consolatus, part, of consolor, to comfort. 

DISCORD. 8. Disagreement. L. discordla ,• dis, asunder, and corda,, 
(pi. of cor, ) hearts. 

DISCOURSE, s. Conversation; dissertation. F. discours ; from the 
L. discursus, a running backward and forward : discurso ,- dis, from, 
and curro, to run. 

DISCOVER, v. To find out ; to make known. L. dis, from, and 
cover. 

DISCREET, adj. Prudent ; modest. F. discret. See DISCRETION. 

DISCRETION, s. Prudence ; liberty of acting at pleasure. L. discre- 
tio ; discreius, p. part of discerno. See DISCERN. 

DISCRETIVE. adj. In logic and grammar, denotes disjunction, or op- 
position. L. discretus, severed, p. part, of discerno. See DISCERN. 

DISCRIMINATE, v. To distinguish. This word, in accordance with 
its derivation, should, refer to the distinguishing of degrees of crime. 
L. discrimino ; dis, asunder, and crimen, a fault. 

DISCURSIVE, adj. Desultory. L. discurso. See DISCOURSE. 

DISCUSS, v. To examine; to argue. L. discussum, sup. of discutio ,- 
dis, asunder, and quaiio, to shake. 

DISDAIN, v. To scorn. L. dis, not, and F. daigner, to condescend. 
L. dig aw, to think worthy. 

DISEASE, s. Distemper. L. dis, meaning deprivation, and ease. 

DISFRANCHISE, v. To deprive of a civil privilege. L. dis, denoting 
deprivation, and franchise. 

DISGRACE, v-. To put out of favour ; to dishonour ; to bring a re- 
proach upon. L. dis, denoting deprivation, and gratia, /favour. 

DISGORGE, v. To discharge through the mouth. L. dis, from, and 
F. gorge, the throat. 

DISGUISE, v. To conceal, by a counterfeit appearance. L. dis, de- 
noting deprivation, and F. guise, manner. 

DISGUST, s. Strong aversion. L. dis, from, and gustus, the taste. 

DISHABILLE, s. Undress. F. deshabille,- L. dis, not, and F. habille, 
dressed. 

DISHEVEL, v. To spread [the hair.] F. decheveler ,■ L. dis, asunder, 
and F. cheveu, hair. 

DISINGENUOUS, adj. Uncandid ; unfair. L. dis, meaning depriva- 
tion, and ingenuous. 

DISJUNCTIVE, adj. Denoting separation, or opposition. L. disjunc- 
tivtis; disjungo, to separate. 

DISK. s. The face of the sun, or of a planet, as it appears to the eye ; 
a quoit. L. discus, a dish or quoit. 

DISLOCATE, v. To put out of the proper place ; to disjoint. L. dis, 
asunder, and loco, to place. 

DISMISS, v. To send away; to discharge. L. dis, from, and missum, 
sup. of mittdj to send. 

DISPARAGE, v. To match unequally ; to injure by comparing with 
something of less value. L. dispar, unequal : dis, denoting separa- 
tion, and par, a pair or couple. 



DIS— DIS 

DISPARITY, s. Inequality ; unlikeness. F. disparity • L. dispar, un- 
like : comp. of dis, denoting- separation, and par, equal. 

DISPEL, v. To drive away, by scattering-; to dissipate. L. dispello ; 
dis, asunder, and pello, to drive. 

DISPENSARY, s. A place from which medicines are given. F. dis- 
pensaire. See DISPENSE. 

DISPENSE, v. To distribute, (to dispense with, to excuse) F. dis- 
penser .- L. dis, asunder, and pensum, sup. of pendo, to weig-h. 

DISPENSATORY. 5. A pharmacopoeia, or book in which the compo- 
sition of medicines is described and directed. See DISPENSE. 

DISPERSE, v. To scatter. L. dispersum, sup. of dispergo ,- dis, asun- 
der, and spargo, to scatter. 

DISPLAY, v. To spread wide ; to exhibit. L. dis, asunder, and plico, 
to fold. 

DISPOSE, v. To distribute ; to arrang-e ; to incline. F. disposer : L. 
dis, asunder, and positum, sup. oi'pono, to place. 

DISPUTE, v. To controvert ;■ to contest by argument ; to debate. 
L. disputo ; dis, signifying- separation or opposition, and puto, to 
think. 

DISQUISITION, s. Examination ; disputative inquiry. L. disquisitio: 
from disquisitus, p. part, of disquiro : dis, signifying separation, and 
quaero, to seek. 

DISRUPTION, s. Act of rending. L. disruptio. See DIRUPTION ; 
a word which is more elegant than disruption. 

DISSECT, v. To cut into parts. L. dissectum, sup. of disseco ; dis, 
asunder, and seco, to cut. 

DISSEMBLE, v. To hide under a fictitious appearance. Old F. dis- 
sembler .- L. dissimulo : comp. of dis, noting deprivation, and 
similis, like. 

DISSEMINATE, v. To spread every way. L. dissemino; dis, asunder, 
and semino, to sow : semen, seed. 

DISSENT, v. To disagree in opinion. L. dissentio,- from dis, asunder, 
and sentio, to think. 

DISSERTATION, s. A disquisition ; a treatise. L. dissertatio ; from 
the frequentative v. disserto, to argue. 

DISSIMULATION, s. Act of dissembling. L. dissimulatio. See 
DISSEMBLE. 

DISSIPATE, v. To disperse ; to squander. L. dissipo, to scatter. 

DISSOCIATE, v. To separate ; to disunite. L. dissocio ; dis, signify- 
ing separation, and socius, a companion. 

DISSOLUTE, adj. Unrestrained; wanton. L. dissolutus, p. part, of 
dissolvo. See DISSOLVE. 

DISSOLUTION, s. Separation; death. L. dissolutio. See DIS- 
SOLVE. 

DISSOLVE, v. To unbind ; to melt. L. dissolvo ; dis, asunder, and 
solvo, to untie. 

DISSONANT, adj. Discordant. L. dissonans, part, ofdissono; from 
dis, noting opposition, and sonn, to sound. 

DISSUADE, v. To advise against. L. dissuadeo : dis, from, and sua* 
deo, to persuade. 

DISSYLLABLE, s. A word of two syllables. G. dis, twofold, and 
syllable. 

G2 



DIS— DIV 

DISTANCE, s. Intervening" space ; remoteness ; respect ; reserve. 
F. dislans : L. distantia,- from dis, asunder, and starts, part, of sto, 
to stand. 

DISTEND, v. To stretch out in breadth. L. distendo ; dis, asunder, 
and tendo, to spread. 

DISTICH, s. A couplet ; a couple of lines. L. distichon: G. dis, two- 
fold, and stichos, a verse. 

DISTIL, v. To fall in drops ; to make spirituous liquors. L. distillo : 
dis, asunder, and stillo, to drop or trickle down. 

DISTINCT, adj. Having- a marked and visible difference ; apart ; 
clear ; unconfused. L. distinctus, p. part, of distinguo ,- dis, signi- 
fying- separation, and tindus, p. part, of tingo, to die or colour. 

DISTINGUISH, v. To mark out by some external sign ; to see ob- 
jects separately. L. distinguo ; from dis, separately, and tingo, to 
die or colour. 

DISTORT, v. To writhe ; to deform. L. distortum, sup. of distor- 
queo ,- dis, from, and torqueo, to twist. 

DISTRACT, v. To divide ; to perplex ; to make insane. L. dis- 
tradum, sup. ofdistraho: comp. of dis, asunder, and iraho, to draw. 

DISTRAIN, v. To seize as an indemnity or security. L. distringo, to 
bind fast. 

DISTRESS, s. Act of distraining 1 ; thing- distrained ; calamity; misery. 
F. distresse : L. distridus, p. part, of distringo. See DISTRAIN. 

DISTRIBUTE, v. To divide among-st more than two. L. distribuo ,- 
dis, asunder, and tribuo, to bestow. 

DISTRICT, s. Circuit of authority 5 province; division. L. distridus, 
p. part, of distringo, to bind. 

DISTURB, t?. To disquiet. L. disturbo ; dis, separately, and turbo, to 
disorder : turba, a crowd. 

DITHYRAMBIC. s. A kind of song, in honour of Bacchus ; a drink- 
ing song. .G. ditharos, having a double door, and embaino, to enter. 
See the heathen Mythology. 

DITTO, s. A mercantile term, equivalent to the relative said, used by 
lawyers, and signifying the same as that which preceded. Italian ; 
from the L. didus, p. part, of dim, to say. 

DIURETIC, adj. Promoting- urine. F. diureiique- G. diouretikos i 
comp. of dia, from, and oureo, to make water. 

DIURNAL, adj. Daily. L. diurnus ,- from dies, a day. 

DIVERGE, v. To tend various ways from one point. L. diver go ,• di, 
from, and vergo, to decline, or bend. 

DI'VERS. See DIVERSE. 

DIVERSE', adj. Different ; in various directions. L. diversus, p. part, 
of diverto ,- di, asunder, and verto, to turn. 

DIVERT, v. To turn aside ; to amuse. L. diverto ,- comp. of di, from,, 
and verto, to turn. 

DIVEST, v. See DEVEST ; which is more conformable with the 
derivation, and more generally used. 

DIVIDE v. To separate ; to give in shares. L. divido : di, asunder, 
and video, co see. 

DIVID 8 E T IMP ERA. Divide and govern :— the maxim of nearly 
ai -.renal governments. L. divide, (imperative of divido,) di- 

vide 3 et, and> impera, (imperative of impero,) govern. 



DIV— DOR 

DIVIDEND, s. In arithmetic, the number to be divided ; a share as- 
certained by division. L. dividendus, to be divided : part, of divido. 
See DIVIDE. 

DIVINE, adj. Partaking of the nature of God ; heavenly. L. divinus ; 
divi, the gods. 

DIVINE, v. To foretel, as by divine inspiration. See the adjective. 

DIVISION, s. The act of dividing- ; partition ; disunion. L. divisio . 
divisus,p. part, of dm do. See DIVIDE. 

DIVORCE, s. Legal separation of husband and wife. F. divorce : L. 
divorsus, p. part, of divorto, (synonymous with diverto,) to turn away 
from. 

DIVULGE, v. To make public. L. divulgo ,- di, meaning amongst, 
and vulgus, the common people. 

DOCILE, adj. Easily taught ; tractable. F. docile .- L. docilis : doceo, 
to teach. 

DOCTOR, s. One who has received a collegiate diploma for his skill 
in divinity, law, physic, &c. L. doctor, a teacher ; from doceo, to 
teach. 

DOCTRINE, s. That which is taught. L. doctrina. See DOCTOR. 

DOCUMENT, s. Written evidence, or means of information. L. docu- 
mentum ,• from doceo, to teach. 

DOGMA, s. Established principle 5 doctrinal notion. G. dogma : do- 
keo, to think. * 

DOGMATICAL, adj. Authoritative. See DOGMA. 

DOLEFUL, adj. Sorrowful. L. doleo] to grieve. 

DOLOROUS, adj. Sorrowful ; gloomy. L. dolor, pain, or sorrow. 

DOMAIN, s. Dominion ; estate ; demesne. F. domaine : L. domi- 
nium ,• from dominus, a master ; domus, a house. 

DOME. s. A house ; a large cupola. F. dome : L. domus, a house. 

DOMESTIC, adj. Relating or belonging to home. L. domesticus : do- 
mus, a house. 

DOMICILIARY, adj. A domiciliary visit is an intrusion, by govern- 
mental authority, into a dwelling house. F. domicile, a habitation : 
L. domus, a house. 

DOMINANT, adj. Predominant ; ascendant. F. dominant, part, of 
dominer. See DOMINEER. 

DOMINEER, v. To rule, or command with insolence. F. dominer .- 
L. dominor, to govern : dominus, a master ; domus, a house. 

DOMINICAL, adj. That which marks Sunday. L. dominicalis ■: Do- 
minus, the Lord. 

DOMINION, s. Sovereign power ; territoiy. L. dominium : dominus, 
a master. 

DONATION, s. A gift, for some general purpose. L. donatio: dono, 
to give. 

DONOR, s. A giver. L. dono, to give. 

DORMANT. adL Sleeping 5 inoperative ; concealed. F. dormant, 
part, of dormir, to sleep : L. dormio, to sleep. 

DORMITIVE. adj. Promoting sleep. F. dormitif: L. dormio, to 
sleep. 

DORMITORY, s. A sleeping-room. L. dormitorium : dormio, to 
sleep. 



DOR— DUR 

DORMOUSE; s, A mouse which sleeps during part of winter. L 

dormio, to sleep, and mouse. 
DOSE. s. A prescribed quantity. F. dose: G. dosis : didomi, to give. 
DOSOLOGY. s. A treatise on the quantity of medicine to be taken at 

one time. G. dosis, a dose, and logos, a discourse. 
DOTATION, s. Act of endowing. L. dotatus, p. part, of doto, to en- 
dow : dotis, gen. of dos, a dowry or portion ; from do, to give. 
DOUBLE ENTENDRE, s. An obscene allusion in disguise. F. 

double, double, and entendre, to understand. 
DOUCEUR, s. A bribe ; compensation. F. douceur, sweetness. 
DOWER, s. A wife's marriage-portion, or a widow's possession. F. 

douaire : doner, to bestow. 
DOXOLOGY. s. A form of glorifying God. G. doxa, glory, and logos, 

a word. 
DRAMA, s. A theatrical representation ; a play. G. drama : drao, 

to act. 
DRAPER, s. One who sells cloth. F. drapier ,• from drap, cloth. 
DRAPERY, s. Cloth ; ornamental part of curtains ; imitation of dress 

by a painter or statuary. F. draperie: drap,' cloth. 
DROPSY, s. A collection of water in the body. L. hydrops : G. hu- 

dor, water, and ops, an appearance. 
DRUID, s. One of the priests who worshiped in groves ; called, by 

Caesar, druides ; supposed from the G. drus, an oak. 
DRYADS, s. Wood-nymphs. L. dryades : G. druades ; from drus, 

an oak. 
DUBIOUS, adj. Doubtful; uncertain. L. dubius ,- from dubium, a 

doubt : duo, two. 
DUCTILE, adj. Flexible; easily extended. L. duclilis ,- from duco, 

to draw. 
DUE. adj. Owing ; that which one has a right to demand ; proper ; 

fit. F. du, p. part, of devoir, to owe. L. debeo. 
DUEL. s. A combat between two persons. F. duel: L. duellum : 

duo, two. 
DUKE. s. One of the highest order of nobility in England ; a title ori- 
ginally signifying a chief or leader. F. due : L. dux ; from duco, to 

lead. 
DULCET, adj. Sweet; harmonious. L. dulcis, sweet. 
DULCIMER, s. A kind of musical instrument. L. dulcis, sweet. 
DUODECIMAL, adj. Numbered by twelve. L. duodeclm, twelve. 
DUODECIMO, s. A book formed by folding a sheet of paper into 

twelve leaves. (12mo.) L. duodecimus, the twelfth. 
DUPLICATE, s. A copy, generally the first. L. duplicatus, p. part. 

of duplico, to double. 
DUPLICITY, s. Deceit, by using two appearances. F. duplicite : L. 

dupbeis, gen. of duplex, double : duo, two, and plico, to fold. 
DURABLE, adj. Lasting. L. durabilis : duro, to continue. 
DURANCE, s. Imprisonment. L. durans, part, of duro, to remain. 
DTJBANTE BENE PLACITO. At the will of the person granting; 

— literally, "our decree, or pleasure happily continuing." L. 
DURESS, s. Duress, in law, is either by imprisonment, or threats ; 

and is inflicted for the purpose of causing a person to do some act 

against his will. L. durities ,• durus, hard, rigorous. 



DUR— EDI 

DURING, prep. For the time of the continuance of. L. duro, to con- 
tinue. During- is often improperly used : it is ungrammatical to say, 
that an event occurred "during the war," or "during his confine- 
ment," because the term during includes the whole period of the 
war, or the whole period of the confinement, and an event happens 
in only apart of that period. 

DUTY. s. That which is due 5 that to which a man is, by any natural 
or legal obligation, bound ; tax 5 impost. See DUE. 

DYNAMICS, s. The science of moving powers. G. dunamis, power. 

DYNASTY, s. Sovereignty. F. dynastie : G. dunasteia ,• from dunas- 
tes, a ruler. 

DYSENTERY. s. A disorder of the bowels. L. dysenteria : G. dusen- 
teria .• dus, with difficulty, and enieron, a bowel. 

DYSPEPSIA, or DYSPEPSY. s. Imperfect digestion. G. dusptpsia: 
dus, with difficulty, and peplo, to boil or digest. 



EBRIETY. s. Drunkenness. L. ebrietas, drunkenness. 

EBULLITION, s. Act of boiling up with heat 5 effervescence. F. 
ebullition .• L. ebullio, to boil, or bubble up : e, from, and bulla, a 
bubble. 

ECCE HOMO. Behold the man. L. ecce, Lo! homo, the man. 

ECCENTRIC, adj. Deviating from the centre; irregular? uncommon. 
L. eccentricus .- ex, from, and centrum, a centre. 

ECCLESIASTICAL, adj. Relating to the church. L. ecclesiasticus : 
G. eftklesia, an assembly. 

ECCE SIGNUM. Behold the sign, or mark. L. ecce, Lo! signum, 
the sign. 

ECHO. s. The return or repercussion of any sound ; the sound re- 
turned. L. echo: G. echo,- from echos, a sound. 

ECLMRCISSEMENT. s. Explanation. F. eclair cissemeht: eclaircir, 
to clear: eclairer, to give light. 

ECLAT, s. Publicity ; lustre. F. eclat, a crack. 

ECLECTIC, adj. Selecting. G. eklektikos: ek, out of, and lektos, 
chosen ; from lego, to choose. 

ECLIPSE, s. The obscuring of a heavenly luminary, by interposition. 
G. ekleipsis .- ekleipo, to fail or desert. 

ECLIPTIC, s. A great circle of the sphere, supposed to run through 
the middle of the zodiac, making an angle with the equinoctial of 
about 23£ degrees ; which is the sun's greatest declination, and in 
which his eclipses happen. G. ekleiptikos. See ECLIPSE. 

ECLOGUE, s. A pastoral poem. G. ekloge, choice, ek, out of, and 
logos, a word. According to the etymology, eclogue should be no 
more than a select or choice piece ; but custom has assigned it a 
further signification ; viz. a little elegant composition, in a simple 
and natural style. 

ECONOMY, s. Management of a family ; frugality. L. oeconomia : 
G. oikonomia .- oikos, a house, and nomos, a law. 

ECSTACY, or EXTASY. s. Rapture. G. ekstasis ,- from ek, out, and 
stasis, standing. 

EDIBLE, adj. Proper to be eaten. L. edo, to eat. 



EDI— E.TE 

EDICT, s. A proclamation or command issued by an absolute sove^ 

reign ; a law. L. edictum : e, from, and dico, to say. 
EDIFICE, s. A building- ; a house. L. sedijicium .■ aedis, a buildir^, 

and facto, to make. 
EDIFY, v. This word originally signified to build. It now signifies to 

instruct, or improve. L. edijico. See EDIFICE. 
EDILE. s. A Roman officer, whose original office was to take care 

of temples and other public buildings. L. sedilis ,- from sedis, a temple. 
EDITION, s. Publication ; meaning, the whole number of copies of a 

book printed from one arrangement of the types. L. editio: edo y 

to publish : e, from, and do, to give. 
EDITOR, s. Publisher ; one who superintends a publication. L. edi- 
tor. See EDITION. 
EDUCATE, v. To instruct. L. educo : e, out of, (meaning forward) 

and duco, to lead. 
EFFACE, v. To erase. F. effacer : L. ex, from, and fades, a face. 
EFFECT, s. Consequence ; success ; design ; reality. L. effedus, p. 

part, of effido : ex, from, and facto, to make. 
EFFECTS, s. Whatever will effect, produce, 'or bring forth, money 

by sale. See EFFECT. 
EFFEMINATE, adj. Unmanlike; womanish. L. effeminatus : femina, 

a woman. 
EFFERVESCE, v. To boil gently ; to bubble. L. effervesco, to fer- 
ment ; fvomferveo, to be hot. - 
EFFICACIOUS, adj. Having the power to effect ; remedial. L. effi- 

cax. See EFFECT. 
EFFICIENT, adj. Producing an effect. L. effldens. See EFFECT. 
EFFIGY, s. An image. L. ejjigles ; from effingo, to fashion. 
EFFLORESCENT, adj. Shooting out in the form of flowers. L. efflo- 

rescens ,- part, of effioresco : Jioris, gen. ofjlos, a flower. 
EFFLUVIA, s. Ascending particles ; smell. L. pi. ofeffluviu?n,> from 

effluo. See EFFLUX. 
EFFLUX, s. Act of flowing out ; thing which flows out. L. effiuxus, 

p. part, of effluo ,- comp. of ex, from, and Jluo, to flow. 
EFFORT, s. Laborious endeavour. F. effort: L. ex, out of, and/wfl, 

strength. 
EFFRONTERY, s. Impudence; shamelessness; contempt of reproach. 
J^effronterie. See AFFRONT. 
adj. ! " " 

ex, out of, and fulgeo, to shine. 
EFFUSION, s. Act of pouring out; thing poured out. L. effusio: 

effusus, p. part, of effundo : ex, from, a.ndfwido, to pour. 
EGOTIST, s. One who talks much concerning himself. L. ego, I. 
EGREGIOUS, adj. Remarkable ; eminently bad : the latter is the 

usual sense. L. egregius : e, out of, andgrege, abl. of grex, a flock, 

or multitude. 
EGRESS, s. Departure ; means of departure. L. egressus, part, of 

egredior .- e, from, and gradior, to proceed : gradus, a step. 
EJACULATE, v. To utter suddenly. L. ejaculor .- e, from, andj'acw- 

hr, to dart : jumo, to throw. 
EJECT, v. To throw out ; to expel. L. ejectum, sup. of ejitio .• «, 

from, and jacio, to throw. 



ELA— EMB 

ELABORATE, adj. Finished with great labour. L. elaboraius,^. part. 

of eluboro, to labour : e, from, and labor, labour. 
ELAPSE, v. To pass away. L. elapsus, part, of- elabor .• e, from, and 

labor, to glide. 
ELASTIC, adj. Having the power of a spring. F. elastique : G. elao, 

to repel. 
ELATE, adj. Elevated by success ; joyful. L. elatus, p. part, of 

effero : ex, from, and fero, to cany. 
ELECT, v. To choose. L. eledum, sup* of eligo : e, from, and lego, 

to choose. 
ELECTRIC, adj. Relating to electricity ; having electric matter. L. 

electrum, amber, (which is attractive ;) G. elektron : elko, to draw. 
ELECTROMETER, s. An instrument which indicates the strength of 

the electric fluid. G. elektron, the electric fluid, and metreo, to 

measure. 
ELEEMOSYNARY, adj. Given through charity. G. eleemosune, com- 
passion : eleeo, to pity. 
ELEGANT, adj. Pleasing; handsome. L. elegans ,- comp. ofe, from, 

and lego, to choose. 
ELEGY, s. A funeral song. L. elegeia : G. elegos ,- from eleos, pity. 
ELEVATE. 0. To raise ; to enliven. L. elevo : e, from, and levo, to 

lift. 
ELE'VE. s. Disciple. F. eleve .- elever, to raise. See ELEVATE. 
ELICIT, v. To strike out. L. elicio, to draw, or strike out. 
ELIGIBLE., adj. Desirable. L. eligibilis : e, from, and lego, to choose. 
ELISION, s. The act of cutting out ; as in ivalk'd, for walked. L. 

ellsio : ellsus, p. part, of elido, to strike out. 
ELLIPSIS, s. A figure of rhetoric, by which something is left out; in 

geometry, an oval figure, generated from the section of a cone : G. 

elleipsis .• en, in, and leipo, to fail. 
ELLIPTIC, or ELLIPTICAL, adj. Having the form of an ellipsis ; 

oval. See ELLIPSIS. 
ELOCUTION, s. Art of speaking with elegance and force. L. eloca- 

tio : e, out, and hquor, to speak. 
ELOQUENT, adj. Having the power of fluent, elegant, and convinc- 
ing language. L. ehquens. See ELOCUTION.' 
ELUCIDATE, v. To make clear ; to explain. L. elucido : e, from, 

and luceo, to give light : lux, light. 
ELUDE, v. To avoid ; to escape. L. eludo .• e, from, and ludo, to 

play, or mock. 
ELYSIUM. 6f. The place assigned, by the heathens, to happy souls ; 

any place exquisitely pleasant. L. elysium : G. ek, from, and lusis, 

a dissolution. 
EMACIATED, adj. Wasted ; lean. L. emacio, to make lean: macies, 

leanness. 
EMAN AT'E. v. To issue or flow from. L. emano : e, from, and mano, 

to run in a small stream, to distil. 
EMANCxPATE. v. To set free. L. einanc'po .• e, from, Mvlmancipo, 
to give away: manu, (wbl. of inairujs) from the hand, and capio, to 
take. 
EMBARK, v. To go on shipboard : to adventure. F. embarquer: en, 
into, and barque, a large boat. 



EMB— EMP 

EMBASSY, s. A public message. F. ambassade. See AMBAS- 
SADOR. 
EMBELLISH, v. To adorn. F. embellir : en, into, and belle, hand- 
some. 
EMBLEM, s. A distinguishing sign. G. emblema, a kind of insertion 

work, — alluding to the embroideiy of a standard, or coat of arms : 

from emballo, to throw in. 
EMBOSS, v. To embroider ; to engrave with relief. F. en, into, and 

losse, a protuberance. 
EMBRACE, v. To fold in the* arms ; to include. F. embrasser ; from 

en, in, and bras, an arm. L. in, and brachium. 
EMBROCATION, s. The act of rubbing with medicinal liquors ? the 

lotion with which any diseased part is washed. G. en, in, and bre- 

cho, to moisten. 
EMBRYO, s. The incipient formation in the womb : (foetus, signifies 

the child in the womb, after it is perfectly formed. ) G. embruyon .- 

en, in, and bruo, to grow. 
EMENDATION, s. Correction. L. emendatio : e, from, and menda, 

a fault. 
EMERGE, v. To rise out of. L. emergo .• comp. of e, from, and mUrgo, 

a brink. 
EMERGENCE, or EMERGENCY, s. Sudden occasion. See EMERGE. 
EMETIC, adj. Of a vomiting quality. G. emetikos .• emeo, to vomit. 
EMIGRATE, v. To change the place of abode, from one country to 

another. L. emigro : e, from, and migro, to remove. 
EMINENCE, s. Height ; a high place ; dignity. L. eminens, part, of 

emineo, to stand above others : e, from, and hiineo, to hang ready to 

fall. 
EMINENT, adj. High ; conspicuous. See EMINENCE. 
EMISSARY, s. One sent out on secret business ; a spy. L. emissarius; 

from emissus, p. part, of emitto ; comp. of e, from, and mitto, to 

send. 
EMIT. v. To send forth ; to issue. L. emitto : e, from, and mitto, to 

send. 
EMOLLIENT, adj. Softening. L. emolliens .- mollis, soft. 
EMOLUMENT, s. Profit. L, emolumeriium ,• comp. of e, from, and 

molimenium, an enterprise: molior, to toil. 
EMOTION, s. Disturbance of mind; vehemence of passion. L. erao- 

tio : emotus, p. part, ofemoveo .• e, out ofj and moveo, to move. 
EMPEROR, s. A monarch, generally supposed to reign over many 

countries. F. empefeur : L. imperator, meaning originally a com- 
mander or ruler: from impero, to rule. 
EMPHASIS, s-. Remarkable stress, laid upon a word, or a sentence. 

G. emphasis : en, in, and phaino, to show or appear. 
EMPIRE, s. Government ; territory governed. F. empire. See EM- 
PEROR. 
EMPIRIC, s. A quack. F. empirique: G. empeirikos : en, in, and 

peira, an endeavour, or experiment. 
EMPORIUM, s. A place of merchandise 5 a commercial city. G. em- 

porion .- emporos, a merchant. 
EMPYREAN, s. The highest heaven. G. empuros : en, in, and pur, 

fire. 



EMP— ENG 

EMPYREUM. s. The disagreeable burned taste and smell, which 

sometimes remains after boiling- or distillation. G. cmpureuma ; en, 

in, and pur, fire. 
EMULATE, v. To rival. L. vmulor, to rival. 
ENAMOUR, v. To inflame with love. F. en, into, and amour, love : 

L. in and amor. 
ENCLITICS. 8. Particles which are closely united with other words, 

and throw back the accent upon tjjie foregoing" syllable. G. enkli- 

tika; en, in, or upon, and klino, to recline. 
ENCLOSE, v. To envelop : to surround. F. enclos, part, of enchrre, 

to enclose. See INCLOSE. 
ENCOMIUM, s. Praise. G. enkomion ; from komazo, to celebrate in 

song. 
ENCORE. Again. F. 

ENCOUNTER, s. Conflict. F. enamtre -• L. contra, against. 
ENCOURAGE, v. To give courage 5 to incite ; to raise confidence. 

F. en, in, and COURAGE. 

ENCROACH, v. To invade another's right ; to pass bounds. F. ac- 
crocher, to catch : croc, a hook. 

ENCUMBER, v. F. encombrer. See INCUMBER. 

ENCYCLOPAEDIA, s. The circle of sciences 5 a work containing in- 
formation on eveiy science. G. enkuklopaideia. See CYCLO- 
PAEDIA. 
• ENDEMIC, adj. Relating to a disease which is natural to a country. 

G. endemos : en, in, and demos, the people. 

ENDORSE, v. To write on the back of a bill, &c. F. endosser, (for- 
merly endorser ,-) en, in, and dos, the back: L. in, and dorsum. 

ENDOW, v. To give a dower ; to enrich by a gift. F. endouaire. 
See DOWER. 

ENDURE, v. To continue ; to sustain. F. endurer : L. in, in, and 
duro, to continue. 

ENEMY, s. A foe 5 an antagonist. F. ennemi; L. inimicus; in, not, 
and amicus, a friend. 

ENERGY, s. Natural power ; force. G. energeia,- en, in, and ergon, 
work. 

ENERVATE, v. To weaken ; to effeminate. L. enervo : comp. of 
e, from, and nervus, a sinew. 

EN FJMILLE. In the usual family mode ; without ceremony. F.. 
en, according as, famille, the family. . 

ENFILADE, v. To pierce from flank to flank. F. enfiler ,- en, in, 
w.vXfde, a row. 

EN FLUTE. A vessel is said to be armed en flute, when she carries 
only her upper tier of guns \ her hold being filled with stores. Flute 
is a kind of long vessel, serving chiefly for the carrying of provisions 
in fleets of ships of war ; and is supposed to be derived from a Ger- 
man word, signifying to float. F. en, in the manner of, flute, a 
flute. 

ENFRANCHISE, v. To admit to all the privileges of a freeman ; to 
invest with the elective privilege. F. en, into, and franchise, free* 
dom. 

ENGAGE, v. To empawn 5 to stake ; to embark in an affair ; to at- 
H 



EQU— ERY 

EQUANIMITY, s. Evenness of mind. L. asquanimitas ,- from asquus, 

equal, and animus, the mind. 
EQUATION. s. A term in algebra and astronomy, denoting equalisa- 
tion. JL. sequatio; from asquus, equal. 
EQUATOR. s. The imaginary circle which divides the globe into two 

equal parts, called the northern and southern hemispheres. L. 

asquutor ,• from asquus, equal. 
EQUERRY. *. Master of the horse. L. equarius, pertaining to a horse : 

equus, a horse. 
EQUILATERAL, adj. Having all sides equal. L. asqua latera, equal 

sides : asquus, and lotus. 
EQUILIBRIUM. 5. Equipoise ; equality of weight. L. equilibrium ; 

asquus, equal, and libra, a balance. 
EQUINOX, s. The time when the sun crosses the equator, and the 

night is of the same length as the day. L. asquus, equal, and nox, 

a night. 
EQUIP, v. To furnish for a horseman ; to furnish in general. F. equi- 

per : L. equus, a horse. 
EQUIPAGE, s. Furniture of a horseman ; but, more generally a 

splendid carriage and the horses ; or table furniture. F. equipage. 

See EQUIP. 
EQUIPOISE, s. Equilibrium; equality of weight, or of power. L. 

asquus, equal, and F. poids, weight. 
EQUIPONDEROUS. adj. Equal in weight. L. asquus, equal, and 

pondero, to weigh. 
EQUITY, s. Justice ; mode of decision in a court of justice, according 

rather to the spirit, than the letter, of the law. L. asquitas ; from 

asquus, equal. 
EQUIVALENT, adj. Of equal value, or power. L. asquus, equal, and 

vaktis, part, ofvaleo* to avail. 
EQUIVOCAL, adj. Capable of being construed in different senses ; 

uncertain. L. asquivocus ; asquus, equal, and vox, a voice. 
ERADICATE, v. To pull up by the root ; to destroy entirely. L. 

eradico ; e, from, and radix, a root. 
ERASE, v. To scrape out 5 to expunge. L. e, from, and rasum, sup. 

o£rado, to scrape. 
ERECT, adj. Upright; directed upwards. L. erectus ; p. part, of 

erigo : e, from, and rego, to rule, or make straight. 
ERR. v. To deviate ; to mistake. L. erro, to wander. 
ERRATA, s. Errors. L. pi. of erratum,- from erratus, part, of erro. 

See ERR. 
ERRATIC, adj. Wandering. L. erraticus. See ERR. 
ERRONEOUS, adj. Incorrect. L. errcmeus. See ERR. 
ERUDITION, s. Knowledge obtained by learning. L. eruditio ; from 

eruditus, p. part, oferudio, to instruct; comp. of e, from, and rudis, 

untaught. 
ERUPTION, s. Breaking forth; a cutaneous disease. L. eruptio ; 

eruptus, p. pait. of erumpo ; e, from, and rumpo, to break. 
ERYSIPELAS, s. An eruption of a hot, acrid humour, chiefly in the 

face. G. eruszpelas ; eruo, to draw, and pelas, adjoining; because, 

the neighbouring parts are jdrawn closer by the eruption. 



ESC— ETY 

ESCALADE, s. Act of scaling- the walls of a fortified place. F. esca* 

lade ; from echelle, a ladder. 
ESCHEAT, v. To result back, in consequence of some unforeseen 

contingency, to the lord of the fee. F. escheoir, to happen. 
ESCORT, v. To convoy. F. escorter : L. cohors, a cohort or band of 

soldiers. 
ESCRITOIRE, s. A writing-desk. F. ecritoir, (formerly escritoire;) 

L. scriptum, sup. ofscribo, to write. 
ESCULENT, adj. Eatable. L. esculentus; esum, sup. of edo, to eat. 
ESPECIAL, adj. Particular. See SPECIAL. 
ESPIONAGE, s. Act of a spy ,• inspection, with a design of informing 

against. F. espionnage. See ESPY. 
ESPOUSE, v. To marry; to abet. F.epouser; (formerly espouser ;) 

epoase, a wife. 
ESPY. v. To see any thing at a distance ; to discover a thing intended 

to be hidden, &c. F. espier : L. e, from, or out, and specio, to be- 
hold. 
ESQUIRE, s. The attendant, or armour bearer, of a knight ; a title 

applied, also, to some of the younger sons of noblemen, and to ma- 
gistrates, military officers, &c. Old F. escuer ,• escu, a shield. 
ESSAY 7 , v. To attempt. F. essayer, to attempt. 
ES'SAY. s. An attempt ; a dissertation. See the verb. 
ESSENCE, s. Physical basis ; essential oil. F. essence : L. essentia* 

the existence : esse, to be. 
ESSENTIAL, adj. Having the essence ; indispensable. L. essentialis, 

See ESSENCE. 
ESTABLISH, v. To render stable ; to settle firmly ; to confirm ; to 

found. F. etablir, formerly establir. See STABLE. 
ESTATE, s. Condition of life ; property. F. etat ,- (formerly estat /) 

L. status ,• from sto, to stand. 
ESTEEM, s. Regard ; respect. See ESTIMATE. 
ESTIMATE, v.. To rate ; to conjecture. L. eestimo,- ses, money. 
ESTRANGE, v. To withdraw the affections. F. etranger t (formerly, 

estr anger ;) L. e, from, and stringo, to draw. 
ESTREAT, v. To extract or take out from the other records, (in the 

case of a recognisance) for the purpose of putting in suit. See 

EXTRACT. 
ESTUARY, s. An arm of the sea. L. sestitarium ,- from sestuo, to be 

straitened. 
ET CETERA. Abbreviated etc. or &?c. . And the rest ; and others 

of the same kind. L. et, and, send cast era, others. 
ETHER, s. An imaginary air ; a volatile distilled spirit. L. aether.- G, 

aither ,■ aitho, to burn. 
ETHICS, s. The doctrine of morality. G. ethike ,• ethos, a manner. 
ETHNIC, adj. Gentile; neither Jewish nor Christian. G.ethnikos/ 

ethnos, a nation. See GENTILE. 
ETIQUETTE, s. Established ceremony or mode. F. etiquette, a ticket, 

upon which the forms of court ceremonies, &c. are written. 
ETYMOLOGY, s. The derivation of a word from its original ; that 

part of grammar which treats of the different sorts of words and their 

various modifications. L. etymologia: G. etumologia; etumos, true? 

and logos, a word, 

H2 



EUC— EXC 

EUCHARIST, s. The Lord's Supper. G. eucharistia, thanksgiving, 
EUDIOMETER, s. An instrument, invented by Priestley, for ascer- 
taining the purity of atmospheric air. G. eu, good, dios, air, and 

metron, measure. 
EULOGY, s. Praise. G. eulogia ; comp. of eu, good, and logos, a 

word. 
EUPHONY, s. Agreeable sound. G. euphonia ,- eu, well, and phoneo, 

to sound. 
EVACUATE, v. To make empty ; to retire from. L. evacuo; vacuus, 

empty. 
EVADE, v. To elude, or avoid. L. evado ,• e, from, and vado, to 

march, or move. 
EVANESCENT, adj. Vanishing ; imperceptible. L. evanescent, part. 

of evanesco, to disappear : from vanus, empty. 
EVANGELIST, s. A writer of the histoiy of Christ. L. evangelus : 

G. euangelos ,• from eu, good, and angelo, to declare. 
EVAPORATE, v. To ascend in vapour. L. evaporo ; e, from, and 

vapos, vapour. 
EVENT, s. Occurrence. L. eventus ; e, out of, and ventum, sup. of 

venio, to come. 
EVIDENCE, s. Proof; testimony; the person who testifies. *F. evi- 
dence : L. evidentia. See EVIDENT. 
EVIDENT, adj. Proved ; clear. F. evident : L. evidens ; e, out of, 

and video, to see. 
EVINCE, v. To prove ; to manifest. L. evinco ; e, from, and vinco, to 

conquer. 
EVISCERATE, v. To embowel. L. eviscero,- e, from, and viscera^ 

the bowels. 
EVOLUTION, s. Act of unfolding ; military field-exercise. L. evolu* 

tus, p. part, ofevolvo. See EVOLVE. 
EVOLVE, v. To unfold ; to throw off by chemical effect. L. evolvo ,- 

e, from, and volvo, to roll. 
EXACT, adj. Without defect or omission ; according to rule ; metho- 
dically ; very accurate. F. exacte: L. exactus, p. part, ofexigo; ex, 

out, and ago, to do. 
EXACT, v. To demand as a right ; to require authoritatively ; to en- 
force - r to extort. See the adjective. • 
EXAGGERATE, v. To heighten beyond truth. L. exaggero; ex % 

above, and aggero, to heap : agger, a heap : ad, to, and gero, to cany. 
EXANIMATE, adj. Lifeless •> inanimate. L. ex, from, and anima, the 

breath, or souL 
EXALT, v. To raise ; to dignify. F. exalter .- L. ex, above, and altus^ 

high. 
EXASPERATE, v. To enrage. L. exaspero,- ex, above, (meaning in. 

a high degree,) and aspero, to make rough : asper, rough. 
EXCAVATE, v. To make hollow. L. excavo,- ex, from, and cavo, to. 

make hollow. 
EXCEED, v. Togo beyond; to surpass. L. excedo,- ex, from, and 

cedo, to depart. 
EXCEL, v. To he eminent; to surpass. L. excello ; ex, from, and 

cclb, to lift up. 



EXC— EXF 

EXCEPT, v. To leave out. L. exceptum, sup. ofcxcipio; ex, Out of, 

and capioy to take. 
EXCERPTJ1. s. Extracts. L. excerpta,- from excerptus, part, of ex 

c&po ,- ex, from, and carpo, to pluck. 
EXCESS, s. More than sufficient ; surplus. L. excessus, p. part, of 

excedo. See EXCEED. 
EXCISE. *. A tax, formerly paid by a part of the article assessed. L- 

excisus, p. part, ofexcido. See EXCISION. 
EXCISION, s. Act of cutting out. L. excisio ; from excisus, p. part, 

of excido ; ex, from, and caedo, to lop. 
EXCITE, v. To rouse ; to animate ; to encourage ; to put in motion. 

L. excito ,- ex, out of, and cito, to call. 
EXCLAIM, v. To call loudly. L. exclamo ; ex, from, and clamo, to 

call. 
EXCLUDE, v. To shut out ; to debar. L. excludo ; comp. of ex, 

from, and claudo, to shut. 
EXCLUSION, s. Act of excluding. L. exclusus, p. part, of excludo. 

See EXCLUDE. 
EXCORIATE, v. To strip off the skin. L. ex, from, and corium, a 

skin. 
EXCRESCENCE, s. Irregular protuberance. L. excrescens ; part, of 

excresco ,• ex, from, and cresco, to grow. 
BXCRUCIATING. adj. Extremely painful. L. excrucio, to torture : 

ex, from, and cruce, abl. of crux, a cross ; alluding to the torments of 

crucifixion. 
EXCULPATE, v. To exonerate from a criminal charge. L. ex, from, 

and culpa, blame. 
EXCURSION, s. A ramble out of the prescribed path. L. excursio ; 

ex, from, and curro, to run. 
EXCUSE, v. To disengage from an obligation ; to pardon. L. excuso,- 

ex, from, and causa, a cause, or suit at law. 
EXECRATE, v. To curse; to detest. L. execror, or exsecror ,• ex, 

from, and sacrum, a holy rite : meaning, to debar from the benefit 

of religious ceremonies. 
EXECUTE, v. To perform ; to put to death. L. executus, part, of 

exequor ,- ex, according to [direction,] and sequor, to follow. 
EXECUTIVE, adj. Relating to the power which performs, but does 

not deliberate. See EXECUTE. 
EXEMPLI GRATIA. As an example ; for instance ; usually ab- 
breviated ex. gr., or e. g. L. 
EXEMPT, adj. Free by privilege. L. exemptus, p. part, of eximo ,~ 

ex, from, and emo, to purchase. 
EXERGUE, s. F. See EXERGUM. 
EXERGUM. s. The circular space between the work and the edge of 

a coin or medal, on which the inscription is usually placed. G. ex, 

from, and ergon, work. 
EXEUNT OMNES. Used, in theatrical pieces, to mark the departure, 

from the stage, of all the characters. L. omnes, all, exeunt, go out : 

omnis, and exeo. 
EXFOLIATE, v. To separate in layers. L. ex, from, and folium, a 

leaf 



EXH— EXP 

EXHALE, v. To emit or draw out vapour or fumes. L. exhato ; ex, 

from, and halo, to breathe. 
EXHAUST, v. To draw away; to fatigue. L. exhaustum, sup. of ex- 

haurio ; ex, from, and haurio, to draw. 
EXHIBIT, v. To display. L. exhibeo ,- comp. of ex, from, and habeo, 

to hold. 
EXHILARATE, v. To enliven. L. exhilaro. See HILARITY. 
EXHORT, v. To advise from an evil, or to a virtuous action. .L. ex- 

hortor ,• ex, from, and hortor, to advise. 
EXHUMATE, v. To raise out of the earth, that which has been buri- 
ed ; to unbury. L. ex, out of, and humus, earth. 
EXIGENCE, or EXIGENCY, s. Sudden occasion. L. exigens, part. 

of exigo, to drive out : ex, from, and ago, to move. 
EXILE, s. Banishment, either voluntary or compulsive ; person ba- 
nished. L. exilium ,- exilio, to depart hastily : ex, from, and salio, 

to leap. 
EXIST, v. To be ; to have a being-. L. existo : ex, out of, and sisto, 

to stand still or continue. 
EXIT. A term used to mark the time at which a player leaves the 

stage ; departure. L. exit, he (or she) goes out: exeo. 
EX-MINISTER, s. One who has -been a minister of state. L. ex, out, 

and minister. 
EXODUS, s. The second book of Moses, which describes the journey 

of the Israelites from Egypt. G. exodos ,- ex, out of, and odos, a 

way. 
EX OFFICIO. By the power of his office. L. ex, according to, 

officio, abl. of offitium, an office. ■ 
EXONERATE, v. To disburthen; to exculpate. L. exonero ; ex, from, 

and onus, a burthen. 
EXORBITANT, adj. Irregular 5 enormous. L. ex, out of, and orbita, 

a track. 
EXORCISE, v. To pretend to drive away an evil spirit. G. ex, out of, 

and orkizo, to adjure. 
EXORDIUM, s. A formal preface ; the first part of an oration. L. ex- 
ordium,- ex, from, and orior, to rise. 
EXOTIC, adj. Foreign. G. exotikos ,- exo, out of doors; abroad. 
EXPAND, v. To open wide. L. expando ; ex, from, and pando, to 

open. 
EX-PARTE'. On one side only ; ex-parte evidence is that testimony, 

which, as before a grand jury, is delivered in the absence of the 

party against' whom it is to operate. L. ex, from, parte, abl. of pars, 

a part. 
EXPATIATE, v. To enlarge on, in language. L. expatior ; ex, from, 

and pateo, to spread out. 
EXPECT, v. To anticipate, in the mind ; to wait for. L. expecto,- ex, 

from, and specto, to look. 
EXPECTORATE, v. To eject matter from the breast. L. ex, from, 

and pectus, the breast. 
EXPEDIENT, adj. Advantageous; fit. L. expediens, part, ofexpedio. 

See EXPEDITE. 
EXPEDITATION. 5. The act of cutting off the feet. L. ex, from* 

and pedes, pi. of pes, a foot. 



EXP— EXQ 

EXPEDITE, v. To facilitate 5 to hasten. L. expedio, to free : ex, 

from, and pede, abl. of pes, a foot. 
EXPEL, v. To drive out. L. expello ; comp. of ex, from, and pello, 

to drive. 
EXPEND, v. To spend ; to disburse. L. expendo ; ex, from, and 

pendo, to weigh, or pay. 
EXPENSE, s. Expenditure ; cost. L. expensum. See EXPEND. 
EXPERIENCE. ». Practice. L. experientia. See EXPERT. 
EXPERIMENT, s. Trial. L. experimentum. See EXPERIENCE. 
EXPERT, adj. Skilful : dexterous. L. expertus, part, of experior ,• 

ex, from, and perior, to be skilful. 
EXPIATE, v. To atone for. L. expio ,- comp. of ex, from, and pio, 

to worship, or purge. 
EXPIRE, v. To breathe out ; to die ; to terminate. L. expiro ; ex, 

from, and spiro, to breathe. 
EXPLAIN, v. To make plain ; to render intelligible. L. explano : ex, 

out, and planus, smooth or even. 
EXPLETIVE, s. In grammar, means something inserted, more to 

please the ear, than to illustrate. L. expletivum ; expleo, to glut ; 

ex, in a superabundant degree, and pleo, to fill. 
EXPLICIT, adj. Emphatically clear ; not merely implied. L. expli- 

citus, p. part, of explico, to unfold. 
EXPLODE, v. To drive out, with open marks of disapprobation ; to 

make a loud noise like ignited gunpewder. L. explodo ; ex, from, 

and plaudo, to make a noise by clapping. 
EXPLORE, v. To examine. L. exploro, to view or examine. 
EXPLOSION, s. The act of exploding. L. explosio ,• explosus, p» 

part, of explodo. See EXPLODE. 
EXPORT, v. To send out of a country, in the way of traffic. L. ex- 

porta ; ex, out of, and porto, to carry. 
EXPOSE, v. To lay open; to put in danger. F. exposer : L. expo* 

situm, sup. of expono ; ex, out of, and pono, to place. 
EX POST FACTO. Made or done after the act ; retro-active. L. 
EXPOSTULATE, v. To appeal ; to debate earnestly. L. expostulo, 

to demand. 
EXPOUND, v. To explain. L. expono ; ex, out of, and pono, to 

place. 
EX-PRESIDENT, s. One who has been a president. L. ex, out, and 

president. 
EXPRESS, v. To press out ; to represent ; to declare. L. expressum, 

sup. of. exprimo ,- ex, from, and premo, to press. 
EXPRESS, adj. Exactly alike, (as if taken by an impression;) explicit? 

particularly declared. See the verb. . 
EXPRESS, s. An extraordinary messenger. See the verb. 
EXPUGNABLE. adj. Possible to be taken or subdued by a siege, or 

an assault. L. ex, out of, and pugno, to fight. 
EXPULSION, s. Act of expelling. L. expukio ; from expello. See 

EXPEL. 
EXPUNGE, v. To erase L. expungo ; ex, from, and pungo, to 

prick. 
EXQUISITE, adj. Consummate ; excellent. L. exquisitus, p. part. 

of exquiro, ) searched out ; ex, out of, and qii&ro, to seek. 



EXS— EXU 

EXSCIND, v. To cut from. L. ex, from, arid scindo, to cut. 

EXSICCATE, v. To dry. L. exsicco, to diy. 

EXTANT, adj. Before the public ; now existing. L. exstans, part. 

of exsto, to stand out: ex, from, and sto, to stand. 
EXTASY, or ECSTACY. s. Any emotion by which the thoughts are 

absorbed, and in which the mind is for a time lost ; excessive joy, 

or excessive grief. F. extase : G. ekstasis ; from ek, out, and stasis, 

part, of istemi, to stand. 
EXTEMPORE', adj. Without preparation. L. ex, from, and tempore, 

abl. of tempus, time ; meaning the present time. 
EXTEND, v. To reach (with to,-) to enlarge. L. extendo,- comp. of 

ex, from, and tendo, to stretch. 
EXTENUATE, v. To lessen ; to palliate. L. extenuo ; ex, from, and 

tenuis, thin, or small. 
EXTERIOR, adj. Outward. L. exterior, compar. deg. of extra, with- 
out: pos. extra ,- compar. exterior ; sup. extremus. 
EXTERMINATE, v. To destroy. L. extermino ; ex, out of, and ter- 

mino, to end. 
EXTERNAL, adj. Outward 5 foreign. L. externus ; exter, foreign : 

comp. of ex, out of, and terra, a territory. 
EXTINCT, adj. Extinguished 5 abolished. L. extinctus, p. part, of 

extinguo, to extinguish. 
EXTINGUISH, v. To quench; to destroy. L. extinguo, to extin- 
guish. 
EXTIRPATE, v. To take out the stem or stalk 5 to eradicate ; to 

destroy. L. extirpo ; ex, from, and stirps, a stem. 
EXTOL, v. To praise highly. L. extollo ; ex, from, and tollo, to 

lift up. 
EXTORT, v. To obtain by force, or by the passion of avarice. L. 

extortum, sup. of extorqueo ,- ex, from, and torqueo, to twist. 
EXTRA, adj. Additional. L. extra, besides. 
EXTRACT, v. To draw from ; to take out a part. L. extractum, 

sup. of extraho ; comp. of ex, from, and traho, to draw. 
EXTRAJUDICIAL, adj. Out of the regular course of legal procedure, 

L. extra, beyond, and judicial. 
EXTRANEOUS, adj. Foreign; of a different kind. L. extraneus t 

ex, out of, and terra, the land. 
EXTRAORDINARY, or EXTRORDINARY. adj. Uncommon ; un- 
usual ; eminent. L. extraordinarius ,• extra, beyond, and ordinarius, 

ordinary: ordo, a rule. 
EXTRAVAGANT, adj. Irregular ; wild ; prodigal. L. extravagans ,■ 

extra, beyond, and vagor, to wander. 
EXTREME, adj. Greatest ; utmost. L. extremus, superl. of extra, 

beyond. 
EXTRICATE, v. To disentangle. L. extrico ; ex, out of, and tricae, 

hairs wrapped round the feet of fowls, to hinder them from escaping. 
EXTRUDE, v. To thrust out; to push off with violence. L. extrudo.- 

ex, out, or from, and trudo, to thrust. 
EXTRUSION, s. Act of extruding. L. extrusus, p. part, of extrudo. 

See EXTRUDE. 
EXUBERANT, adj. Overabundant. L. exuberans, part, of exubero ,• 

extra, beyond, and uber, plentiful. 



EXU— FAR 

EXUDE, v. To issue in sweat. L. exudo ; ex, out of, and sudo, td 

sweat. 
EXULT, v. To rejoice greatly. L. exulto ,• comp. of ex, from, [the 

ground, ] and salto, to dance, or leap. 



FABLE, s. A fictitious stoiy, written for amusement. L. fabula ; for, 

to speak, or tell. 
FABRIC, s. Something made. L. fabrica ,• faber, a workman. 
FACRICATE. v. To construct ; to invent. L. fabrico. See FABRIC. 
FABULOUS, adj. Fictitious ; false. L. fabulosus. See FABLE. 
FACETIOUS, adj. Witty. L. facetiae, raillery. 
FACILITATE, v. To make easy. L. facilis, easy: facio, to do, or 

cause. 
FAC SIMILES s. An imitation, as nearly resembling the original as 

possible. L. factum, a thing done, and simile, neuter of similis, like : 

the word factum has been here abbreviated to fac. 
FACT. s. A thing done ; reality. L. factum,- facio, to do. 
FACTION, s. A party, active in opposing another. L. factio ; facio, 

to do. 
FACTOR, s. An agent, employed to buy or sell for another. L. fac- 
tor ,• from facio, to do, or make. * 
FACTORY, s. A house, or district, inhabited by the foreign traders 

of a particular nation, in a distant country 5 the traders themselves ; 

a manufactory. See FACTOR. 
FACULTY, s. Power derived from nature ; learned professors. L. 

facultas ; facio, to do, or make. 
FALLACY., s. Deceit 5 untruth. L. fallacia • fallo, to slip or slide ; 

to deceive. 
FALLIBLE, adj. Liable to error, or to failure. L. fallc, to slip. 
FALSE, adj. Not morally true ; not physically true ; perfidious ; not 

real. L. falsus, p. part, of fallo, to slip, or deceive. 
FAME. s. Rumour ; report ; celebrity ; renown. L. fama : G. pha~ 

ma ,- phemi, to speak. 
FAMILIAR, adj. Domestic ; affable ; unceremonious ; well-known ; 

too nearly acquainted. L. familiaris i familia, a family. 
FAMINE, s. Distressful scarcity of food. F. famine .• L. fames, 

hunger. 
FAMISH, v. To starve. L,. fames, hunger. 

FAMOUS, adj. Renowned. L. famosiis : fama, report. See FAME. 
FANATIC, s. A mad enthusiast ; one who has extravagant notions of 

religion. L. janaticus : fanum, a temple. 
FANCY, s. Imagination ; raprice ; liking. This is a contraction of 

phantasy. See FANTASM; 
FANTASM. s. Something which appears real, but is only in the ima- 
gination. G. phantasma, an apparition : phaino, to appear. 
FANTASTIC, adj. Irrational ; whimsical. ¥ . fantasiique. See FAN-. 

TASM. 
FARCE, s. A dramatic afterpiece, of a ludicrous kind. F.farcir.- L. 

farcio, to fill up, or stuff. 
FARINACEOUS, adj. Mealy. L. farina, meal. 



FAR— FEL 

FARRAGO, s. A rude or confused mixture. L. farrago .- far, all 
kinds of corn. 

FARRIER. *. A horse-doctor, (a profession usually followed by 
horse-shoers. ) F. ferrier .• L. ferrarius, belonging to iron: ferrum, 
iron. 

FASCES, s. Rods, with an axe bound up in the middle, anciently 
carried before the Roman consuls. L. fasces, pi. of fastis, a bundle 
of twigs. 

FASCINATE, v. To influence, as if by supernatural power ; to de- 
light highly. L. fascino, to bewitch. 

FASCINE, s. The military name of a fagot : fascines are used gene- 
rally for filling up a ditch. F. fascine : L. fastis, a bundle of twigs. 

FASHION, s. Form ; make ; manner ; general practice. F. facon : 
from the L. fatio, to make. 

FASTIDIOUS, adj. Disdainful ; overdelicate ; disagreeably metho- 
dical. L. fastidiosus : from fastidiuni, pride, reluctance. 

FATE. s. Destiny ; event predetermined. L. fatum ,- fatus, p. part, 
of for, to speak ; — alluding to the responses of the ancient oracles. 

FATUITY, s.. Foolishness ; weakness of mind. F. fatuite .- L. fa> 
tuus, silly. 

FAULT, s. Offence ; slight crime ; defect ; difficulty. F. faute .• L. 
falsus, p. part, of folio, to slip, or deceive. 

FAUN. s. A kind of rural deity. Faunus, (a son of Picus, an Italian 
king,) whose attachment to agriculture induced his subjects to re- 
vere him, after his death, as one of their country deities. See the 
heathen mythology. 

FAUX PAS. A false step ; a deviation from rectitude. F. faux, 
false, and pas, a step. 

FEALTY, s. Duty or fidelity to a superior lord. F. feal, liege, sub- 
ject. 

FEASIBLE, adj. Practicable. T.faisible: faire, to do. 

FEAT. 5. Act; deed; exploit. F.fait, part, of faire, to do : L. fatio. 

FEBRIFUGE, s. A medicine serviceable in a fever. L..febris, a fever, 
sndfugo, to drive away. 

FEBRILE, adj. Relating to fever. L. febrilis : febris, a fever. 

FEBRUARY, s. The second month. L. Februarius .- Februa, the 
mother of Mars. 

FECULENT, adj. Foul ; excrementitious. L. fseculentus : from fse- 
cula, small dregs ; faex, dregs. 

FECUNDITY, s. Fruitfulness. L. foecunditas, fruitfulness. 

FEDERAL, adj. Relating to a contract ; united. L. fxdus, a league. 

FEDERALIST, s.- Originally meant an American citizen who voted 
for the new federal constitution of the United States : — since the 
beginning of the French war, in 1792, it has had no relative mean- 
ing ; but, like the term democrat, is used only to serve the interested 
views of a party. See FEDERAL. • 

FEIGN, v. To invent ; to pretend. F. feindre : L. Jingo, to make or 
frame. 

FELICITATE, v. To congratulate. L. felicito : felicitas, happiness ; 
felix, happy. 

FELINE, adj. Resembling, or pertaining to, a cat. L. felinus : felis, 
a cat. 



FEL— F1L 

FELO DE SE. A person of sound mind who commits suicide. L. 

feh, a felon, de, of, se, himself. 
FEMININE, adj. Relating or belonging to a female. L. femininus r 

femina, a woman, 
FEMME COVERTE. Inlaw, signifies a woman covered or pro- 
tected, by marriage, from the payment of debt, and, in some cases, 

from criminal prosecution. F.femme, a woman, couverte, covered. 
FEMME SOLE. A spinster ; an unmarried woman. F. femme, a 

woman, and old F. sole, alone. 
FEND. v. To keep off'; to guard. From Defend. 
FERJE NATURJE. Of a wild nature ; unreclaimed:— usually ap- 
plied to animals not domesticated. L. 
FERMENT, v. To exalt or rarefy, by internal motion of parts ; to have 

the parts put into intestine motion. L. fermento ; ferveo, to grow 

hot. 
FEROCIOUS, adj. Fierce. L. ferocis, gen. of ferox, fierce. 
FERRUGINOUS, adj. Partaking of the particles and the quality of 

iron. L. ferruglneus : comp. of ferrurn, iron, and genus, a sort. 
FERTILE, adj. Fruitful. L. fertilis .• fero, to bear, or produce. 
FERVENT, adj. Hot; ardent. L. fei-vens, part, of ferveo, to boil. 
FERVID, adj. Hot; vehement; zealous. L. fervidus : ferveo, to 

boil. 
FESTIVAL, s. A feast, or the period of a feast. L. festims: probably 

from ferio, to strike, kill, or sacrifice. 
FETE CHAMPETRE. An entertainment, given in the country, 

in the open air. F. fete, a feast, and champetre, rural. 
FETID, adj. Rancid ; having an offensive smell. L. foetidus : faeteo, 

to stink. 
FIAT. 5. In law, a writ containing a peremptory order. L. fiat, let it 

be done ; from^o. 
FICTION, s. Invention; falsehood. L. fictio .* from fidus, p. part- of 

Jingo, to frame. 
FICTITIOUS, adj. Counterfeit; not real. L. Jictitius. See FICTION., 
FIDELITY, s. Faithful adherence ; honesty. L. Jidelitas : fides, faith, 

or truth. 
FIDUCIARY, adj. Given in trust ; confiding; undoubting. L. fidu* 

ciarius : fides, faith. 
FIERI FACIAS. A judicial writ, directing a sheriff to levy the 

amount of a debt, or of damages recovered. L. facias, you must 

cause it, fieri, to be made: facio, and fio. 
FIGMENT, s. A fiction. L. figmenturn : fingo, to frame. 
FIGURE, s. Form ; an image ; a character denoting a number ; a 

trope. L. figura ; from jingo, to shape, or frame. 
FILAMENT, s. A body, long and slender, like a thread. L. fila- 

menta : filum, a thread. 
FILIAL, adj. Regarding a child, in relation to its parents. F. filial: 

Li.filius, a child. 
FILIATE, v. To acknowledge as a son ; to adopt as one's child. L*-- 

films, a son, or child. 
FILLE DE CHAMBRE. s. A chambermaid. F. 
FILLE DE JOIE. & A prostitute. F. fitte, a daughter, de, of, joie, 

pleasure. 

I 



FIL— FLtJ 

FILTER, v. To purify by straining. Low L. Jiltro: comp. offilum, a 

thread, and traho, to draw 5 referring to the original mode of filter- 
ing, by suspended threads. 
FINAL, adj. Last; conclusive. L. finalis : from finis, the end. 
FINANCE, s. Revenue. F. finance : L. finio, to accomplish. 
FINE. s. A fine, in law, is an amicable composition or agreement of a 

suit, by leave of the court ; and is so called because it puts an end 

to the suit. L. finis, an end. 
FINESSE, s. A species of artifice, in which art and cunning are em- 
ployed. F. finesse.- from fin, fine; that is, small, subtle. 
FINITE, adj. Limited. L. finitus : finis, an end. 
FISCAL, adj. Relating to the public revenue. F. fiscal: L. fiscus, 

a treasury. 
FISSILE, adj. Having the laminae, or grain, in a direction to admit of 

being cleft. L. fissilis. See FISSURE. 
FISSURE, s. A cleft. L. fissura: from fissus, p. part, of findo, to 

cleave. 
FISTULA, s. A sinuous ulcer. L. fistula, a pipe. 
FIX. v. To fasten ; to settle. L. fixum, sup. of- figo, to fasten. 
FLACCID, adj. Limber ; soft. L. fiaccidus : Jtacceo, to wither. 
FLAGELLATION, s. Use of the scourge ; a flogging. L. fiagellum, 

a scourge. 
FLAGITIOUS, adj. Atrocious. L. fiagitius. See FLAGRANT. 
FLAGRANT, adj. Sometimes means flushed, but commonly, notori* 

ous, or atrocious. L. fiagrans, part, of fiagro, to be on fire. 
FLAMBEAU, s. A torch. F. fiambeau: comp. of fiamme, flame, 

and beau, handsome. 
FLATULENT, adj. Windy. L. fiatukntus .- fiatus, a puff: fiatus, £. 

part, of fio, to blow. 
FLEXIBLE, adj. Possible to be bent ; pliant. L. fiexibilis : fiexus, 

p. part, of fiecto, to bend. 
FLORID, adj. Bright in colour ; flushed with red ; embellished. L. 

fioridus ; from fioris, gen. of fios, a flower. 
FLORIST, adj. A cultivator of flowers; a maker or vender of artificial 

flowers. L. fioris, gen. of fios, a flower. 
FLOURISH, v. To have vigour ; to boast. L. fioreo ,• fioris, gen. of 

fios, a flower. 
FLU ATE. s. A weak salt, which, by means of strong sulphuric acid, 

yields a vapour, and when condensed forms liquid fluoric acid. L. 

fiuo, to flow. 
FLUCTUATE, v. To flow backwards and forwards ; to vary often. 

L. fiuctuo : fiuctus, a wave: fiuo, to flow. 
FLUE. s. A passage for smoke. L. fiuo, to flow, or pass away. 
FLUENT, adj. Flowing; having a ready command of words. L. 

fiuens, part, of fiuo, to flow. 
FLUID, adj. Liquid. L. fiuidus : fiuo, to flow. 
FLUTE, s. A tubated musical instrument. F. fiute .- lu.fiuto, to flow 

gently: fiuo, to flow. 
FLUTED, adj. Resembling the shape of a flute. See FLUTE. 
FLUX. s. Act of flowing ; thing which flows 5 dysentery. L. fiuxus 

from fiuo, to flow. 



FLU— FOU 

FLUXIONS, s. A species of arithmetic, invented by Newton. L. 
fiuxio, a flowing". 

FOCUS, s. The point where the rays of heat are collected by a burn- 
ing-glass ; a certain point in the axis of a curve. L. focus, a fire- 
hearth, or the fire. 

FOLIAGE, s. Leaves. F. feuillage : L. folium, a leaf. 

FOLIATE, v. To put forth leaves ; to beat into laminas or leaves, as 
in beating gold. L. foliatus, having- leaves: folium, a leaf. 

FOLIO, s. A book, the leaves of which are formed of sheets of paper 
once doubled. L. abl. of folium, a leaf. 

FOMENT, v. To cherish with heat ; to bathe with warm lotions ; (in 
an evil sense) to encourage. L. fomenlor : from foveo, to keep 
warm. 

FORAGE, v. To go out in search of provisions. F. fourrager : four- 
rage, fodder: foiirrer, to stuff in. 

FORCE, s. Strength; active power. F. force: L. fors, strength. 

FORCEPS. s. Surgical tongs. L. forceps, a pair of tongs. 

FOREIGN, adj. Not of this country ; not allied ; without relation. F. 
forain : L. foris, abroad. 

FORENSIC, adj. Belonging, or appropriate to, a court of judicature. 
L. forensis. See FORUM. 

FORGE, v. To form by hammering ; to imitate. F. forger, to hammer. 

FORFEIT, s. Something lost by the commission of a crime, and 
thereby gone away, or departed from the owner ; a fine. F. forfait: 
L. foris, abroad, and foetus, part, of fio, to be made, or become. 

FORMIDABLE, adj. Apt to excite fear. L. formidabilis : formido, 
fear. 

FORMULA, s. A prescribed order. L. formula: forma, a form. 

FORTIFY, v. To strengthen. F. fortifier: L,. fortis, strong, and facto, 
to make. 

FORTITER IN RE. With promptness and determination in the 
execution of an affair. L. ; an expression opposed to suaviter in 
modo. 

FORTITUDE, s. Bravery in resisting, or in suffering. L. fortitudo -- 
from fortis, hardy, strong. 

FORTRESS, s. A fortified building. F. fortresse: L. fortis, strong. 

FORTUITOUS, adj. Accidental. L. fortuitus : fortis, gen. of fors, 
chance, and itus, the act of going. 

FORTUNATE, adj. Lucky ; successful. L. fortunatus : fortuna, for- 
tune. 

FORUM, s. The market-place of Rome, where great judicial causes 
were tried. L. forum, a market-place. 

FOSSE, s. A military ditch. F. fosse: L. fossa: fossus, p. part, of 
fodio, to dig. 

FOSSIL, s. Something dug out of the earth. L. fossilis. See 
FOSSE. 

FOUND, v. To originate, as a town or a cokmy. L. fundo, (fundare,) 
to lay the groundwork : fundus, land. 

FOUND, v. To cast, as at a foundry. L. fundo, (fundere,) to pour 
out. 

FOUNDATION, s. The basis or lower part of an edifice ; the prin- 



F3U— PRU 

ciple or ground upon which any notion is raised. F\ fondatim, 

See FOUND, to originate. 
FOUNDRY, s. A place where articles are formed of melted metals. 

See FOUND, to cast. 
FOUNTAIN, s. A visible spring-; a spout of water; origin; first 

cause. F. fontaine • L. fans : from f undo, to pour out. 
FRACTION, s. An arithmetical part of an integer. L. fractio i fractus, 

p. part, of frango, to break. 
FRACTURE, s. Breach; separation of a bone. L. fractura. See 

FRACTION. 
FRAGTLE. adj. Easily broken ; uncertain. L. fragilis ; frango, to 

break. 
FRAGMENT, s. A part broken off: an imperfect part. L. frag' 

mentum: from frango, to break. 
FRAGRANT, adj. Sweet-smelling. L. fragrans, part, of fragro, to 

smell sweetly: fragum, a strawberry. 
FRAIL, adj. Weak ; decaying easily ; easily destroyed ; weak of re- 
solution. F. frek: L. fragilis. See FRAGILE. 
FRANCHISE, a. Privilege. F. 

FRANGIBLE, adj. Easily broken. L. frango, to break. 
FRANTIC, adj. Mad; outrageously mad. (corrupted from phrenetic.') 
FRATERNAL, adj. Brotherly; relating to brothers. F. fraternel: 

L. j rater, a brother. 
FRATRICIDE, s. Murder of a brother. L. fratricidium : f rater, a 

brother, and csedo, to kill. 
FRAUD, s. Deceit ; dishonesty. F. fraude t L. fraudis, gen. of fraus, 

deceit. 
FRAY. s. See AFFRAY. 
FRENETIC, adj. Originally, Phrenetic. Mad ; distracted. G. phre- 

netikos. See FRENZY. 
FRENZY, s. Temporary madness ; mental distraction. G. phrenetis, 

madness; (from phren, the mind) whence, phrenetisy — phrenetsy — 

phrenzy — frenzy. 
FRIABLE, adj. Easily reduced to powder. F. friable.- L.friabilis; 

frio, to crumble. 
FRICTION. s. The act of rubbing. L. frictio : frico, to rub. 
FRIGID, adj. Cold; dull. I *. frigidus : from frigus, cold. 
FRIGORIFIC. adj. Producing cold ; or, in chemical language, de- 
priving of heat. L. frigorijicus : comp. of j 'rigor, cold, and facio, 

to make. 
FRISEUR. s. A hairdresser. F. friseur .- friser, to curl. 
FRITTER, v. To cut small ; to destroy gradually. F. friture, a piece 

of meat cut small: L. frictus, p. part, of frico, to rub. 
FRIVOLOUS, adj. Slight ; trifling. L. frivolus, trifling. 
FRONT, s. The face ; the forepart of any thing. F. front : L. frons, 

the forehead. 
FRONTAL, adj. Relating to the forehead. F. frontal See FRONT, 
FRUCTIFY, v. To make fruitful. F. fructifier : L. fructus, fruit, and 

facio, to make. 
FRUGAL, adj. Sparing; economical. L. frugalis : from fruges, fruit, 

©r corn: meaning, careful of provisions. 



FRU— GAS 

FRUITION, adj. Enjoyment of what one possesses. L. fruitus, part, 
of fruor, to enjoy. The miser has possession, but not fruition. 

FRUSTRATE, v. To defeat. L. frustro, to disappoint. 

FUEL. s. Material for burning. F. feu, fire. 

FUGACITY. adj. Volatility ; quality of flying away ; a term used by 
chemists. L. fugacis, gen. offugax. See FUGITIVE. 

FUGITIVE, adj. Escaping ; unstable ; volatile. L. fugitivus : fugio, 
to flee or escape. 

FUGITIVE, s. One who runs from his station or duty. See the ad- 
jective. 

FULCRUM, s. That on which a lever rests and moves. L. fulcrum : 
fulcio, to prop. 

FULMINATE, v. To make a loud crack ; to issue ecclesiastical cen- 
sure. L. fulmino : from fulmen, thunder. 

FUME. s. Smoke ; vapour. L. fumus, smoke. 

FUMIGATE, v. To fill with smoke or vapour. See FUME. 

FUNCTION, s. Performance ; employment. L. functio : functus, 
part, of ficngor, to execute. 

FUNDAMENTAL, adj. Relating to the foundation or origin ; essen- 
tial. L. fundament alts ,- fundamentum, a foundation? fundo, to 
found. 

FUNGOUS, adj. Excrescent. L. fungus, a mushroom. 

FUNERAL, s. The solemnity which attends the consignment of a 
body to the grave. L. funeris, gen. offunus, a funeral: from funis, 
a cord ; because lighted cords or torches were carried, by the Ro- 
mans, before the bodies which were interred by night. 

FURTIVE, adj. Stolen. L. furtivus .- fir, a thief. 

FUSE. v. To melt. L. fusum, sup. of fundo, to pour out. 

FUSE. s. A small pipe, inserted in a bomb-shell, through which the 
exploding fire passes. F. fuseau, a spindle. 

FUSIBLE, adj. Capable of being melted. See the verb FUSE. 

FUTILE, adj. Of no effect. L. futilis : futio, to pour out. 

FUTURE, adj. Relating to time to come. ~L.futurus, about to be 5 
part, of the irreg. v. % sum, I am. 



GALAXY, s. A stream of light in the sky, called the milky way. G, 
galaxia : from gala, milk. See the heathen mythology. 

GALLICISM, s. A mode of speech peculiar to the French language. 
F. gatiicisme : L. Gallia, the ancient name of France. 

GANGRENE, tf. A cancerous sore. L. gangrsena : G. gangraina ? 
graino, to feed upon ; meaning, to destroy. 

GARGLE, v. To wash the throat. F. gargouiller ,• G. gargareon, the 
throat. 

GARRISON, s. The soldiers of a fortified town or castle ; the town or 
castle having defenders. F. garnison : garnir, to furnish- 

GARRULOUS, adj. Talkative. L. garrulus -• from garrio, to prate. 

GASCONADE, s. A boast ; a bravado. F. from Gascon, an inhabitant 
of Gascony, in France ; a province remarkable for boasting. 

GASTRIC, adj. Relating to the stomach, G. gaster^ the belly, or (Sto- 
mach* 

12 



GEL— GEO 

GELATINOUS, adj. Of the nature of jell}'. L. gelatus, p. part, of 
gelo, to freeze : gelu, frost. 

GELID, adj. Extremely cold ; frozen. L. gelidus : gelu, frost. 

GEM. s. A jewel. L. gemma, a jewel. 

GEMINI, s. A sign of the zodiac, represented by figures of the twin 
brothers, Castor and Pollux. L. gemini, twins. 

GENDER, s. A natural sex ; a grammatical sex. F. gendre : L. ge- 
neris, genitive of genus, a kind. 

GENEALOGY, s. History of the succession of families. G. genea, a 
generation, and logos, a description. 

GENERA, s. Classes. See GENUS. 

GENERAL, s. The totality ; the main, without descending to parti- 
culars: — adj. comprehending many species or individuals ; not re- 
strained by narrow or distinctive limitations • public ; common. F, 
general: L. generalis .• from generis, gen. of genus, a kind. 

GENERATE, s. To beget ; to produce. L. genero : genus, a race. 

GENERIC, adj. Relating to a genus or class. F. generique : L. ge» 
neris, genitive of genus, a race. 

GENEROUS, adj. The primary meaning of this word, "of high birth,*' 
or " good extraction," is long since obsolete. It now signifies noble- 
minded, open-hearted, liberal? — when applied to animals, faithful* 
courageous * — when applied to wines, soils, &c. strong, rich, nutri- 
tive. F. genereux : L. generosus, noble : from generis, gen, of 
genus, a race. 

GENESIS, s. The first book of Moses, which describes the creation of 
the world and the lives of the first patriarchs. G. genesis .- from 
genea, a generation. 

GENIAL, adj. Contributing to propagation * natural. L. genialis t 
genus, a race. 

GENITALS, s. The members of generation. L. genitalis. See 
GENIAL. 

GENITIVE, adj. A case in grammar, called by the Latins, genitivus : 
from gigno, to beget, because, it, in a manner, generates other cases 
depending on it, and is chiefly used in the formation of compounded 
words. 

"GENTEEL, adj. Polite; graceful; fashionable. F. gentih L. gen- 
tilis, of the same family, or one to whom the estate would descend: 
from gentis, gen. of gens, a nation, or family. 

GENTILE, s. A term applied by the Israelites and Christians, to dis- 
tinguish a foreigner, or one who knew not the true God. L. gen- 
tilis ; from gentis, gen. of gens, a nation. 

GENTLE, adj. Formerly meant well-born ; hence, the term gentle- 
man ; but it now signifies mild. See GENTEEL. 

GENUFLEXION, s. The act of bending the knee. L. genu, a knee, 
and fiectio, or jlexio, a bending ; from JHecto, to bend. 

GENUINE, adj. Not spurious ; unmixed ; natural. L. genuinus : from 
genus, a kindred, or sort. 

GENUS, s. In science, a class, comprehending many species. L. ge- 
nus, a race, or sort: pi. genera, from geno, to beget. 

GEOGRAPHY, s. Description of the earth, according to its natural or 
political divisions. G. ge, the earth, and grapho, to describe. 



GEO— GNO 

GEOLOGY, s. The doctrine of the formation and composition of ffcd 

earth. G. ge, the earth, and fog-os, a word or description. 
GEOMETRY. 5. Originally signified the art of measuring- the earth, or 

certain divisions of it ; but it is now used for the science of quantity 

or extension, abstractedly, without any regard to matter. G. geo* 

meiria : comp. of ge, the earth, and metreo, to measure. 
GEORGIC. adj. Relating to the culture of land, as treated by Virgil. 

L. georgicus : G. georgikon : ge, the earth, and ergon, work. 
GERMAN, adj. A cousin-german, is one related to another by consan* 

guinity, or blood, not by affinity, or marriage. L. germanus : ger- 

men, a sprout. 
GERMINATE, v. To sprout. L. germino i germen, a branch, or bud. 
GESTATION. s. The act of carrying the young before birth. L. ges- 

tatio : from gestus, p. part, of gero, to cany. 
GESTICULATION, v. Various artificial gestures. L. gesticulatio. See 

GESTURE. 
GESTURE, s. Expressive motion and carriage of the body. L. gestus; 

gero, to carry. 
GIANT, s. A man of size above the ordinary rate. L. gigantis, gen, 

of gigas, a giant: G. gigas,- comp. of gea, the earth, and gao, to be 

born. See the heathen mythology. 
GIBBOUS, adj. Convex ; protuberant. L. gibbus. 
GIGANTIC, adj. Of very large stature. L. gigantis, gen. of gigas, a 

giant. 
GLACIERS, s. Huge masses of mountain ice. F. glaciers : glace, ice: 

L. glades. 
GLACIS, s. In fortification, is a smooth, sloping fence. F. glacis : 

glace, ice: L. glacies. 
GLADIATOR. 5. A Roman prize-fighter, with or without a sword. L, 

gladiator : from gladius, a sword. 
GLAND, s. A term in anatomy. F. gland: L. glandula, a kernel in 

the flesh. 
GLANDERS, s. A glandular disorder peculiar to horses, and creating 

a purulent discharge from the nostrils. See GLAND. 
GLEBE, s. Land ; church-land. L. gleba, a lump of earth. 
GLOBE, s. A round body ; the earth. L. globus, a ball. 
GLOBULAR, adj. Having the form of a globe. See GLOBE. 
GLOBULE, s. A round particle of matter. L. globulus. See GLOBE. 
GLOSSARY, s. A dictionary of antiquated or obscure words. L. glos- 

sarium : G. glossa, a tongue, or language. 
GLOSSOGRAPHER. s. A writer of glossaries ; a commentator upon 

words. G. glossa, a tongue, and grapho, to write. 
GLUTINOUS, adj. Of the nature of glue. L. gluiinosus: gluten, 

glue. 
GLUTTON, s. One who indulges too much in eating. F. glouton. 

L. glutio, to swallow. 
GNOMON, s. The hand or stile of a dial. G. gnomon : ginosko, to 

know. 
GNOMONICS. s. The art of dialling. G. gnomonike. See GNOMON, 
GNOSTIC, s. One of a numerous sect of Christians of the first century, 

who pretended to a high degree of knowledge, and held extrava- 
gant notions of religion, G. ginosko, to know. 



GOR— GRO 

GORGET. 5. A piece of armour, which defends the throat ; an orna- 
ment worn by military officers, suspended from the neck, so as to 
reach the breast. F. goige, the throat, or neck. 

GORMANDIZE, v. To eat greedily. F. gourmand, a glutton. 

GRADATION, s. Regular progress from one degree to another. L. 
gradatio : from gradus, a step. 

GRADE, s. Rank ; class: — a word used only in the United States. L. 
gradus, a step. 

GRADUAL, adj. Proceeding by degrees. F. graduel: L. gradus, a 
step. 

GRADUATE, v. To mark with degrees ; to obtain a collegiate de- 
gree. L. gradus, a step. 

GRAMINEOUS, adj. Grassy. L. gramineus : gramen, grass. 

GRAMINIVOROUS, adj. Grass-eating ; living on grass. L. gramen, 
grass, and voro, to eat. 

GRAMMAR, s. The art of using a language correctly ; a book which 
teaches the science of grammar. F. grammaire,- G. gramma, a 
letter. 

GRANARY, s. A store for corn. L. grananum : from granum, a 
grain of corn. 

GRANITE, s. A sort of stone, formed of distinct grains or particles* 
F. grariit : L. granum, a grain. 

GRANIVOROUS. adj. Living on grain. L. granum, a grain of corn, 
and voro, to eat. 

GRANT, v. To assign with a warranty or assurance of title and quiet 
enjoyment ; to concede ; to admit ; to allow. F. garantir, to war- 
rant. 

GRANULATE, v. To form into grains. L. granum, a grain, and la- 
tum, sup. of fero, to bring. 

GRAPHIC, adj. Relating to the art of delineating, or of engraving. G. 
grapho, to write, or engrave. 

GRATIFY, v. To indulge ; to please. L. gratificor .• comp. of gratus, 
agreeable, and facio, to make. 

GRATIS, s. Without requiring payment. L. gratis : gratus, welcome. 

GRATITUDE, s. Desire to repay benefits. Low. L. gratitudo : from 
grator, to thank. 

GRATUITOUS, adj. Voluntary ; as a gift. L. gratuitus. See GRA- 
TIS. Gratuitous is sometimes used to denote without proof ; but 
this sense is erroneous. 

GRATUITY, s. A gift. F. gratuite. See GRATIS. 

GRATULATORY. adj. Expressing congratulation. L. gratulor, to 
congratulate: gratus, welcome. 

GRAVE, adj. Solemn. L. gravis, weighty. 

GRAVITATE, v. To tend, by intrinsic weight, towards the centre of 
attraction. See GRAVITY. 

GRAVITY, s. Weight ; solemnity. L. gravitas : gravis, heavy. 

GRECISM. s. A mode of speech peculiar to the Greek language. L. 
grsecismics : from Grsecia, Greece. 

GREGARIOUS, adj. Living in flocks. L. gregarius : from greges, 
pi. of grex, a flock. 

GROSS, adj. Bulky ; palpable ; unrefined ; indelicate. F. gros, thick, 
coarse. 



GUA— HEB 

GUARANTEE. 5. One who insures the fulfilment of a contract. F 

garantie : from garantir, (formerly guarantir,) to warrant. 
GUBERNATORIAL, adj. Relating to the office of a chief magistrate. 

L. gubemator, a governor. 
GUTTURAL, adj. Pronounced in the throat. L. gutluralis: guttur, 

the throat. 
GYMNASTIC, adj. Relating to athletic exercises. L. gymnasticus : 

G. gumnastikos .• from gumnos, unclothed. 
GYMNOSOPHIST. s. One of a sect of Indian philosophers, \vh» 

thought it conformable with the law of nature to go naked. F. 

gymnosophist : G. gumnos, naked, and sophistes, a wise man. 
GYRATION, s. The act of turning any thing about. L. gyratus, 

turned about. G. guros, a circuit. 

H. 

HABEAS CORPUS. The name of a judicial writ, which commands 
a jailer, or other person having any one in custody, or under unlaw- 
ful restraint, to bring him before the court. L. habeas, you must 
have, cm-pus, the body [before us.] 

HABERE FACIAS. If a person recovers a chattel interest, in land, 
the writ of execution is an habere facias possessionem ; which directs 
the sheriff to give actual possession. L. 

HABILIMENT, s. Dress. F. habillement : L. habeo, to have. 

HABIT, s. The effect of custom -, dress. L. habitus ,• habeo, to have. 

HABITABLE, adj. Capable of being dwelt in. L. habitabilis. See 
HABITATION. 

HABITATION, s. Place of abode. L. habitatio : habito, to dwell ; 
from habeo, to have. 

HALCYON, adj. Happy. L. halcyoneus .- from Hakyone, daughter 
ofiEolus; who, (according to a heathen fiction,) drowned herself 
in the sea: whence, birds of the same name arose ; during whose 
hatching, there is always a calm. 

HALO. s. A coloured circle around the sun, moon, or any of the larger 
stars. G. hubs, an area. 

HAMADRYAD, s. According to the heathen mythology, nymphs who 
presided over trees, with which they lived and died. G, hama, to- 
gether with, and drus, an oak. 

HANAPER. s. The clerk of the hanaper receives the fees due to the 
king of England, for charters and patents. Low L. hanaperium, a 
large basket, or a treasury. 

HARMONY, s. Agreement; musical concord. G. harmonia .- comp. 
of haro, to fit. 

HARPY. s. According to the heathen mythology, a winged monster, 
which had the face of a woman, the body of a vulture, and the feet 
and fingers armed with sharp claws ; a rapacious monster. L. har- 
pia : G. harpax, rapacious. 

HAUGHTY, adj. Proud ; arrogant ; contemptuous. F. haul, high ; * 
or from a Saxon word of the same meaning. 

HAUTEUR, s. Pride ; haughtiness. F. hauteur : haut, high. 

HEBDOMADAL, adj. Weekly. L. hebdomada; G. hebdomads, a weekf 
hepta, seven. 



HEC— HER 

HECATOMB, s. An ancient heathen sacrifice of a hundred head of 

cattle. L. hecatombes .• G. hekatombe: hekaton, a hundred, and 

bous, an ox. 
HECTIC, adj. Constitutional. F. hectique : G. hexis, a habit. 
HEINOUS, adj* Atrocious. F. haineux : from haine, ill-will. 
HEIR. s. One to whom an estate or any property has descended. L. 

haeres .- from hsereo, to stick or continue. 
HELIOSCOPE, s. A kind of telescope, or glass, contrived to enable 

one to look at the sun without injury to the eye. G. helios, the sun, 

and skopeo, to view. 
HELIOTROPE, s. The sun-flower ; a flower which keeps its face al- 
ways towards the sun. G. helios, the sun, and trepho, to turn. 
HEMISPHERE, s. Half a sphere ; half of the earth. G. hemisphai- 

rum.- comp. ofhemisu, half, and sphaira, a globe, or sphere. 
HEMISTIC. s. Haifa verse of poetry. G. hemistichion : hemisu, half, 

and stichos, a verse. 
HEMORRHAGE, s. A violent flux of blood. G. haimorrkagia: haima, 

blood, and rhegnumi, to burst. 
HEMORRHOIDS, s. The piles. G. haimorrhides : haima, blood, and 

rheo, to flow. 
HEPATIC, adj. Relating" or pertaining to the liver. G. hepatos, gen. 

of hepar, the liver. 
HEPTAGON, s. A figure having seven sides and angles. G. hepta\ 

seven, and gonia, a corner, or angle. 
HEPTANDRIA. s. A genus of plants with hermaphrodite flowers and 

seven stamina. G. hepta, seven, and andria, virility. 
HEP T ANGULAR, adj. Having seven angles. G. hepta, seven, and 

L. angulus, a corner, or angle. 
HEPTARCHY, s. A federal government, consisting of seven states. 

G. hepta, seven, and arche, government. 
HERBIVOROUS, adj. Naturally inclined to eat herbs. L. herba, an 

herb, and voro, to devour. 
HERCULEAN, adj. Having great strength, or large bodily frame j 

laborious. See Hercules, in the heathen mythology. 
HEREDITARY, adj. Descending by inheritance. lu.'hereditarius. See 

HEIR. 
HERESIARCH. s. A leader in heresy. F. heresiarque : G. hairesis, 

heresy, and archos, a chief. See HERESY. 
HERESY, s. An opinion different from the tenets of the catholic 

church. F. heresie : G. hairesis .• from haireo, to choose or adopt [an 

opinion.] 
HERETIC. *. One who propagates or is inclined to heresy. F. here- 

tique .• G. hairetikos. See HERESY. 
HERITAGE. *. Inheritance ; estate devolved by succession ; estate 

in general. F. heritage. See HEIR. 
HERMAPHRODITE, s. An animal, or a plant, which unites the two 

sexes. F. hermaphrodite: G. Hermes, Mercury, and Aphrodite, 

Venus. See Lempriere's Classical Dictionary, title Hermaphroditus. 
HERMETICALLY, adv. In a manner practised by chemists, (as her- 
metically sealed.) G. Hermes, Mercury, the fabled inventor of 

chemistry. 



HER— HO&t 

HERMIT, s. A person who lives in solitude. P. her mite.- G. hermits - 

eremia, a desert. 
HERNIA, s. A corporeal rupture. L. hernia : G. hernos, a sprout • 

alluding" to its protuberance. ' 

HERO. s. A man eminent for bravery ; chief personage in a poem or 

drama. L. heros, a hero: G. heros, lovely, delightful. 
HERPES, s. A species of cutaneous inflammation. L. herpes • G 

herpo, to creep. 
HESITATE, v. To pause. L. hsesito : from haereo, to stick fast. 
HETEROCLITE. adj. Irregular ; varying from the common modes of 

declension ; deviating from the common rule. L. heteroclitum : G. 

heteros, another, and klino, to incline or turn away. 
HETERODOX, s. Differing from an established opinion. G. heteros, 

another, and doxa, an opinion. 
HETEROGENEOUS, adj. D^similar in natural qualities. G. heteros. 

another, and genos, a kind. 
HEXAGON, s. A figure having six sides and angles. G. hex, six, and 

gorna, a corner, or angle. 
HEXAMETER, adj. Relating to verse of six feet. L. hexameter: G. 

hex, six, and metron, measure. 
HEXANGULAR. adj. Having six angles. G. hex, six, and L. ansulus. 

a corner, or angle. 
HEXAPOD. s. An animal with six feet. G. hex, six, and nodes, fpl. 

of pons,) feet. r ' KV 

HIATUS, s. A chasm; an omission in writing. L. hiatus: hio, to 

gape. 
HIBERNAL, adj. Relating to winter. L. hibernus, relating to winter. 
HIERARCH. s. The chief of a sacred order. G. hieros t holy, and 

archos, a chief. J 

HIEROGLYPHIC, s. An emblem by which an idea or word is signi- 
fied. L. hieroglyphicus : G. Heros, sacred, and glupho, to carve- 

because, used anciently in religious writings. 
HDLARITY. s. Mirth. L. hilar itas : G. hilaros, joyful. 
HD?POGRIFF. s. A winged horse, imagined by the Italian poet, Ari- 

osto. G. hippos, a horse, and grups, a griffin. 
HIPPOPOTAMUS, s. The river-horse. L. hippopotamus: G. hippos 

ahorse, and potamos, a river. r 

HISTORIOGRAPHER, s. A writer of history. G. historia, historv 

and grapho, to write. J ' 

HISTORY, s. A dignified narration of events ; narration. L. historia ' 

G. historia .• histor, a witness. 
HISTRIONIC, adj. Theatrical. L. histrio, a stage -player. 
HOMAGE, s. Service paid, and fealty professed, to a sovereign or su- 
perior lord, by his tenant or vassal; who, holding up his hands, both 

together, between those of the lord, professed that he became his 

man, from that day forth, &c. ; respect shown by external action. 

F. hommage : L. homagium .- homo, a man. 
HOMICIDE, s. The unpremeditated killing of anv human being. L 

homicidmm: comp. of homo, a man, or human being, and csedo, t© 

HOMILY, s. A religious discourse read to a congregation. G. homilia ■ 
trom homileo, to associate. 



HOM— HYD 

HOMOGENEAL. adj. Having the same nature or principles. G. homos-,- 

like, and genos, a kind. 
HONEST, adj. Upright ; sincere ; just ; chaste. L. honestus : honor, 

honour, respect. 
-HONOUR, s. Dignity ; reputation 5 nobleness of mind ; reverence. 

L. honor, honour. 
HONORARY, adj. Done in honour ; having honour without gain. L. 

honorarius. See HONOUR. 
HORIZON, s. The line which terminates the view. G. horizon: horizo f 

to limit. 
HORIZONTAL, adj. Parallel to the horizon 5 level. See HORIZON. 
HOROLOGICAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to the hours. G. hora, 

an hour, and logos, a word or description. 
HOROSCOPE, s. A configuration of the planets, by an astrologer, at 

any particular hour. G. horoskopos .- hora, an hour, and skopeo, to 

view. 
HORRID, adj. Hideous ; dreadful. L. horridus ; horreo, to be rough * 

to tremble through fear. 
HORS DE COMBAT. A French term, denoting wounded, or ren- 
dered, by some other accident, in battle, unfit for immediate ser- 
vice: hors, out, de, of, combat, battle. 
HORTATIVE, adj. Exhortive. L. hortativus : from hortor, to advise. 
HORTICULTURE, s. The art of cultivating gardens. L. horti, gen. 

of hortus, a garden, and culture. 
HOSANNA. s. Exclamation of praise to God. G. hosanna,- from two 

Hebrew words ; signifying, I pray salvation, I wish prosperity. 
HOSPITABLE, adj. Kind to strangers. L. hospitabilis : hospitium, 

an inn: hospes, a guest, or an entertainer. 
HOSPITAL, s. A place built for the reception of the sick, or poor. 

L. hospitalis, belonging to strangers. See HOSPITABLE. 
HOST. s. One who entertains in his own house ; the landlord of an 

inn. F. hoste: L» hospes, an entertainer. — An army assembled for 

war ; a multitude: hostis, an enemy. —The consecrated wafer in the 

Roman church: hostia, a sacrifice for having obtained a victory over 

enemies ; or a sacrifice in general. 
HOSTILE, adj. Adverse ; opposed. L. hostilis ; from hostes, a fo- 
reigner, a public enemy. 
HUE. s. Hue and Cry, is the old common-law process of pursuing, 

with horn and with voice, all felons, and such as have dangerously 

wounded another. F. huer, to hoot at, or shout. 
HUMAN, adj. Having the qualities of a man; relating or belonging to 

mankind. L. humanus ; homo, a man. 
HUMANE, adj. Charitable ; merciful. F. humaine. See HUMAN. 
HUMBLE, adj. Low ; unassuming. F. humble : L. humilis : from 

humus, the ground. 
HUMID, adj. Moist ; watery. L. humidus : humus, the ground. 
HUMILITY, s. Humbleness ; freedom from arrogance. F. humility ; 

L. humihias. See HUMBLE. 
HUMOUR, s. Bodily moisture ; temper of mind ; a sort of wit. L. 

humor. See HUMID. 
HYDRA, s. A monstrous water-serpent, with many heads, said to have 

been slain by Hercules; a complicated mischief- L. hydra: O. 

hudor, water. 






HYD— HYP 

HYDRANT, s. A pipe, with a turncock attached, from which water 
s for the convenience of the public, or of a private family. G. 
hudor, jp-ater. 

HYDRAULICS, s. The art of conveying water through pipes. G. hu- 
dor, water, and aulas, a pipe. 

HYDROCEPHALUS, s. A dropsy in the head. L. hydrocephalos : 
G. hudor, water, and kephuk, the head. 

HYDROFUGE s. A preservative against moisture. G. hudor, water, 
and fugo, to drive away. 

HYDROGEN, s. One of the constituent parts of water. G. hudor, 
water, and gennao, to produce. 

HYDROGRAPHER. s. One who draws sea-charts. G. hudor, water, 
and grcpho, to describe. 

HYDROMETER, s. An instrument for ascertaining" the weight of 
liquids. G. hudor, water, and metreo, to measure. 

HYDRONAMICS. s. Laws relating to the motion of water. 

HYDROPHOBIA, s. Canine madness ; the most striking evidence of 
which is a dread of water. L. hydrophobia : G. hudrophobia ; hudor, 
water, and phobos, dread. 

HYDROPIC, adj. Dropsical. L. hydropicus : G. hudrops, the dropsy: 
hudor, water, and ops, an appearance. 

HYDROSTATICS, s. The science of the weight and pressure of water. 
G. hudor, water, and statos, part, of istemi, to stand or sustain. 

HYGROMETER, s. An instrument for denoting the humidity of the 
atmosphere. G. hugros, moist, and metreo, to measure. 

HYGROSCOPE. s. An hygrometer. G. hugros, moist, and skopeo, to 
view. 

HYGROSTATICS. s. The science which ascertains degrees of mois- 
ture. G. hugros, moist, and statos, part, of istemi, to stand or sus- 
tain. 

HYMENEAL, adj. Relating to marriage. L. Hymen, the god of mar- 
riage. 

HYMN. s. A song of praise ; a divine song. F. hymne : G. humnos, 
a song of praise. 

HYPERBOLA, s. A term in mathematics. G. huper, over, and ballo, 
to throw. 

HYPERBOLE', s. A rhetorical figure, by which anything is increased 
or diminished beyond the truth. L. hyperbole ': G. huperbole ; 
com p. of huper, over, and ballo, to throw. 

HYPERBOREAN, adj. Northern. L. hyperboreus : G. huper, beyond, 
and Boreas, the north-wind. 

HYPERCRITICAL, adj. Captiously exact as a critic ; critical beyond 
use. G. huper, above, and critical. See CRITIC. 

HYPHEN, s. A mark (-) used to join words, and parts of words. G. 
huphen, together. 

HYPOCHONDRIAC, adj. Melancholy; disordered in the imagination ^ 
a state in which a person is bound down, as by some animal cord. F» 
hypochondriaque : G. hupo, under, and chondros, a cartilage. 

HYPOCRISY, s. Dissimulation, with regard to moral or religious senti- 
ments. G. hupokrisis ,- hupo, under, and krisis, a judgment, or opi- 
nion: meaning an appearance under si mask. 
K 



HYP— IGN 

HYPOGASTRIC, adj. Seated in the lower part of the belly. F. hypo- 

gastrique: G. hupo, under, and gaster, the bell v. 
HYPOTENUSE, s. The longest side of a right-angled triangle. G, 

hupotenousa ,- comp. of hupo, under, and teino, to stretch out. 
HYPOTHECATE, v. Todeposite as a pledge. L. hypothecs, a pledge: 

G. hupo, from, and theke, a place of deposite. 
HYPOTHESIS, s. A supposition. L. hypothesis: G. hupothesis ,• 

hupo, before, and thesis, a position. 
HYPOTHETIC, or HYPOTHETICAL, adj. Including a supposition; 

conditional. See HYPOTHESIS. 
HYSTERIC, or HYSTERICAL, adj. Subject to a species of fits. G. 

husterikos ; hustera, the womb ; from which region, the cause of 

this female weakness was supposed to issue. 

I. 

IAMBUS, s. A poetical foot, consisting of a short syllable followed by 
a long one. L. iambus : G. iambos ; from iambizo, to rail or revile ; 
the iambic measure having been originally used only in satire. 

ICHOR, s. A thin, watery humour. G. ichor, raw or immature blood. 

ICHTHYOLOGY, s. The science of the nature of fishes. G. ichthuo- 
logia ; comp. ofichthus, a fish, and logos, a description. 

ICONOGRAPHY, s. A history or description of images. G. eikon, an 
image, and grapho, to write. 

ICTERIC AL. adj. Afflicted with jaundice. L. ictericus .• G. ikteros, 
the jaundice. 

IDEA. s. A mental conception. G. idea; from eido, to see ; that is, 
in the mind. 

IDENTITY, s. Sameness. L. identitas ,- idem, the same. 

IDES. s. A term in the Roman kalendar, denoting the 13th day of 
each month, except of March, May, July, and October, in which it 
relates to the 15th. L. idus. The further etymology of this word 
is so obscure, that I will not attempt to display it. 

IDIOM, s. A mode of speech peculiar to a language. G. idioma ,- from 
idios, peculiar. 

IDIOT, s. One born a fool. L. idiota ; an illiterate, simple person ; a 
private man, not in office: G. idios, private. 

IDOL. s. An image worshiped as God ; one loved or honoured almost 
to adoration. L. idolum .- G. eidolon, an image : from eido t to see. 

IGNEOUS, adj. Containing fire. L. igneus ; ignis, fire. 

IGN1S-FATUUS. s. A meteor arising from marshes or stagnant wa- 
ters ; will-o-the-wisp. L ignis, fire, and faiuus, foolish or flashy. 

IGNITE, v. To kindle. L. ig7iis, fire. 

IGNOMINIOUS, adj. Disgraceful. L. ignominiosus ,- from ignominia, 
properly a mark of disgrace prefixed to a man's name by the Roman 
censors: ignavus, slothful or cowardly, and nomen, a name. 

IGNORAMUS, s. Signifies "we are ignorant of it ;" "we do not per- 
ceive any crime;" a verdict of acquittal given by a grand jury. L. 
ignoi-o, to be ignorant. 

IGNORANT, adj. Wanting knowledge ; untaught. F. ignorant : L. 
ignorans, part, oiignoro, not to know: in, not, and gnartts, skilful. 



IGN— IMM 

IGNORE, v. To quash a bill of indictment, by writing on it the word 

ignoramus. See IGNORAMUS. 
ILLATIVE, adj. Relating to inference or conclusion. L. illatus y p. 

part, ofinfero; comp. of in, into, and/ero, to bring. 
1LLAUDIBLE. adj. Not deserving praise or approbation. L. illauda- 

bilis ; comp. of in, not, and laudabilis, praiseworthy : laudo, to 

praise. 
ILLEGAL, adj. Not lawful. L. in, not, and legal. 
ILLEGIBLE, adj. Impossible to be read. L. in, not, and legible. 
ILLEGITIMATE, adj. Irregular ; not born in wedlock. L. in, not, 

and legitimate. 
ILLIBERAL, adj. Not liberal ; not generous ; sparing. L. illiberalis; 

in, not, and Uberalis, genteel, liberal: liber, free. 
ILLICIT, adj. Unlawful. L. illicitus ; from in, not, and liceo, to be* 

lawful. 
ILLITERATE, adj. Unlearned; untaught. L. illiteraius ; comp. of 

in, without, and liter se, letters. 
ILLUMINATE, v. To enlighten ; to adorn with lights. L. illuminot 

in, into, and lumen, light. 
ILLUDE. v. To deceive, or mock. L. illudo : in, against, and ludo, 

to sport. 
ILLUSION, s. Deception ; error. L. illusio. See ILLUDE. 
ILLUSTRATE, v. To explain. L. illustro; in, concerning, and lustro, 

to purify ; that is, to free from obscurity. 
ILLUSTRIOUS, adj. Conspicuously eminent for good qualities; noble. 

L. illustris, bright. 
IMAGE. 5. A corporeal representation ; a statue ; a picture ; sem- 
blance; appearance. L. imago ; from imitor, to imitate. 
IMAGINE, v. To fancy ; to paint in the mind ; to contrive. L. ima* 

ginor. See IMAGE. 
IMBECDLE. adj. Weak ; ineffectual. L. imbecillis, weak. 
IMBIBE, v. To draw in ; to absorb ; to acquire. L. imbibo ; comp. 

of in, into, and bibo, to drink. 
IMBRICATED, adj. Indented with cavities ; hollowed like a gutter- 
tile. L. imbricis, gen. of imbrex, a small canal or gutter to carry off 

rain: imber, a shower of rain. 
IMBUE, v. To tincture deeply ; to furnish completely. L. imbuo, to 

dye, or soak. 
IMMACULATE, adj. Spotless ; pure ; without a moral blemish. L. 

immacitlatus ,• from in, without, and macula, a spot. 
IMMASCULATE. v. To deprive of virility. L. in, not, and mas, a 

male. 
IMMATURE, adj. Unripe ; unfinished ; hasty. L. in, not, and ma- 
ture. 
IMMEDIATE, adj. Without any cause or event intervening ; proxi- 
mate ; instant. L. in, not, and medius, a middle. 
IMMEMORIAL, adj. Beyond human remembrance, or tradition. L. 

in, not, or without, and memorial. 
IMMENSE, adj. Unlimited ; huge. L. immenms; in, not, and mensus, 

(part, ofmetior,) measured. 
IMMERGE. v. To immerse. L. immergo ,• in, within, and margo, th^ 

brink. 



IMM— IMP 

IMMERSE, v. To dip ; to engage deeply. L. immersum, sup. of 
immergo. See IMMERGE. 

IMMIGRATE, v. To migrate into ; to enter as an emigrant. L. im- 
migro ; in, into, and migro, to shift the habitation. 

IMMINENT, adj. Impending ; threatening. L. imminent ,- in, upon, 
and minor, to threaten. 

IMMISCIBLE, adj. Not capable of being mingled. L. in, not, and 
miscibje. 

IMMOBILITY, s. Immovableness ; resistance to motion. F. immo- 
bility : L. in, without, and mobilitas, mobility, or activity ; moveo, 
to move. 

IMMOLATE, v. To sacrifice. L. immolo ; comp. of in, upon, and 
moles, a pile. 

IMMORAL, adj. Against the laws of natural religion ; dishonest. L, 
in, not, and moral. 

IMMORTAL, adj. Exempt from death ; everlasting. L. in, not, and 
mortal. 

IMMUNITY, s. Privilege; exemption. F. immunite : L. immunitas ; 
in, without, munns, a gift, charge, or duty. 

IMMURE, v. To imprison. L. in, within, and mums, a wall. 

IMMUTABLE, adj. Unchangeable 5 unalterable. L. in, not, and 
mutable. 

IMPALPABLE, adj. Imperceptible by touch. L. in, not, and pal- 
pable. 

IMPARTIAL, adj. Free from regard to party ; just. L. in, not, and 
partial.- 

IMPEACH, v. To accuse; to accuse by public authority. F. empechtr, 
to hinder ; because, the accused is supposed to be arrested, or ob- 
structed in his usual employments and rights. 

IMPEDE, v. To delay ; to obstruct. L. impedio ; from in, against, 
and pedes, (pi. of pes,) the feet. 

IMPEL, v. To drive on towards a point ; to urge forward. L. im~ 
pello ; in, upon, and pello, to drive. 

IMPEND, v. To hang over, as if threatening. L. impendeo ,• in, upon, 
and pendeo, to hang from. 

IMPENITENT, adj. Unrepenting ; obdurate. L. in, not, and peni- 
tent. 

IMPENNOUS. adj. Without wings. L. in, without, penna, a quill, 
or wing. 

IMPERATIVE, adj. Commanding ; absolutely required. L. impera- 
tiviis; impero, to command. 

IMPERIAL, adj. Relating to empire, or to an empire, in the same 
manner as regal, or royal, relates to a kingdom. L. imperialis ,• im- 
pero, to rule. 

IMPERIOUS, adj. Arrogant; powerful. L. imperiosus ; from impero, 
to rule or command. 

IMPERIUM IN 1MPERI0. One government within, or subject 
to, another ; exemplified in the relation which the several states of 

■ America bear to the federal government. L. imperium, a govern- 
ment, in, within, imperio, a government. 

IMPERTINENT, adj. Of no relation to the matter in debate ; intru- 
sive. L. in, not, and pertinent. 



IMP— IMP 

IMPERVIOUS, adj. Impenetrable. L. impervius ; cemp. of in, with? 

out, and pervium, a passage: per, through, and via, a way. 
IMPETUOUS, adj. Violent; passionate. F. impetueux. See IM- 
PETUS. 
IMPETUS, s. Violent tendency to any point ; violent effort. L. im- 
petus, natural desire or instinct: impeto, to invade ; in, into, and 

peto, to desire. 
IMPINGE, v. To strike or fall against. L. impingo; from in, against, 

and pango, to strike. 
IMPIOUS, adj. Irreligious; wicked. L. impius ; in, not, and pius, 

religious, or just. 
IMPLACABLE, adj. Not to be appeased. L. implacabilis ,• in, not, 

and placeo, to please. 
IMPLEMENT, s. Something that supplies a want ; a utensil ; a tool. 

L. implementum ,- from impleo, to fill. 
IMPLETION. s. The act of filling, or state of being full. L. impleo, 

to fill. 
IMPLICATE, v. To entangle ; to involve. L. implico ; in, together, 

and plico, to knit, or fold. 
IMPLICIT, adj. Inferred ; not expressed ; resting upon another ; 

trusting without reserve or examination. L. implicitus ,- p. part, of 

implico ,• in, in, and plico, to fold. 
IMPLORE, v. To solicit in a suppliant manner. L. imploro ; in, to- 
wards, and ploro, to weep, or cry out. 
IMPLY, v. To include as a consequence or concomitant. L. implico ; 

in, into, and plico, to fold. 
IMPLUMOUS. adj. Without feathers. L. implumis ; in, without, 

and pluma, a feather. 
IMPORT', v. To bring from abroad ; to imply. L. importo ,- comp. 

of in, into, and porto, to carry. 
IM'PORT. s. Tendency; meaning: pi. merchandise imported. See 

the verb. 
IMPORTANT, adj. Momentous ; considerable. L. important, part. 

of importo ,• in, into, and porto, to carry ; meaning, to carry some- 
thing weighty or effective. 
IMPORTUNE, v. To tease ; to solicit unceasingly. L. importunitas, 

importunity, unreasonableness : in, towards, and porto, to carry ; 

meaning, to carry a solicitation frequently. 
IMPOSE, v. To lay upon as a burthen or penalty; to exact ; to cheat. 

F. imposer : L. impositum, sup. of impono ,- in, upon, and pono, to 

place. 
IMPOSSIBLE, adj. Impracticable. L. in, not, and possible. 
IMPOST, s. A tax. F. impost: L. impositus. See IMPOSE. 
IMPOTENT, adj. Powerless ; weak. L. impotens ; in, not, and po- 

tens, (part, of possum,) able. 
IMPOUND, v. To put into a pound, or place for receiving cattle that 

have strayed, or been stolen. L. in, into, and pono, to place. 
IMPRECATE, v. To pray for evil. L. imprecor ,- in, against, and 

precor, to pray. 
IMPREGNABLE, adj. Not to be entered, or subdued. F. imjprenubfe, 

(formerly impregnable;) L. in, not, and praegno, to fill. 
R2 



IMP— INC 

IMPREGNATE, v. To saturate ; to make pregnant. L. in, into, and 
prasgno, to fill. 

IMPRESS, v. To imprint; to constrain. L. impressum, sup. of im- 
prime ; comp. of/?/, into, and prerno, to press. 

IMPRIMATUR. A term used to give permission to print, in countries 
where the press is not free, but subject to a censor. L. imprimatur, 
"let it be printed:" imprimo, to print. 

IMPRINT, v. To mark by pressure. See PRINT. 

IMPROMPTU. A witticism, produced without preparation. L. im- 
promptu, in readiness. 

IMPUDENT, adj. Immodest; intrusive. L. impudens ; in, without, 
and pudor, shame. 

IMPUGN, v. To attack ; to oppose. L. impugno; in, against, and 
pugno, to fight. 

IMPULSE, s. Communicated force ; motive. L. impulsus, p. part, 
of impello ,• in, against,, and pello, to drive. 

IMPUNITY, s. Freedom from punishment. F. impuniU : L. impu- 
nitas ; in, not, and punio, to punish. 

IMPUTE, v. To attribute. L. imputo; comp. of in, concerning, and 
puto, to suppose. 

INACCESSIBLE, adj. Not accessible ; not to be reached. L. in, not, 
and accessible. 

INACCURATE, adj. Not accurate ; incorrect. L. in, not, and accu- 
rate. 

INADVERTENCE, s. Carelessness ; inattention. L. in, not, and ad- 
vertens, part, of adverto, to turn to : ad, towards, and verto, to turn. 

INALIENABLE, adj. Not to be granted or given away to another. L. 
in, not, and alienable. See ALIENATE. 

INANIMATE, adj. Without fife ; dull. L. inanimatus ,• from in y 
without, and anima, breath, or soul. 

INANITY, s. Emptiness ; void space. L. inanitas ,- inanis, empty. 

INAUDIBLE, adj. Not possible to be heard. L. in, not, and audible. 

INAUGURATE v. To invest with a new office, by solemn rites. L. 
inauguro ; comp. of in, into, and augur, a soothsayer ; alluding to 
the ancient ceremony of consulting omens, as to the future success 
of the person invested. 

INCANTATION, s. Charms uttered by singing; pretended enchant- 
ment. F. incantation : L. incanto, to enchant ; in, into, and canto, 
to repeat often the same thing: cano, to sing. 

INCARCERATE, v. To imprison. L. incarcero ; from in, into, and 
career, a prison. 

INCARNATE, adj. Embodied with flesh. L. inmrnatus, p. part, of 
incarno, to embody with flesh: in, into, and carnem, accus. of caro, 
flesh. 

INCARNATION, s. The assumption of body. F. incarnation. See 
INCARNATE, 

INCENDIARY., s. One who burns any thing maliciously ; a conspi- 
rator. L. incendiurius ,• incendo, to set on fire. 

IN'CENSE. s. Perfume exhaled by fire, in honour of a deity; flattery. 
L. incensum ; incendo, to set on fire. 

INCENSE', v. To enrage ; to provoke. L. incensum, sup. of incendo, 
te set on fire. 



INC— B^C 

INCENTIVE, a. Provocation; incitement. L. incentivum ; from in* 
cendo. See INCENSE'. 

INCEPTIVE, adj. Noting- a beginning-. L. inceptivus ; from incipi*. 
See INCIPIENT. 

INCESSANT, adj. Unceasing. L. in, not, and cessans, part, of cesso, 
to cease. 

INCEST, s. Criminal connexion of persons within prohibited degrees 
of consanguinity. L. incestum ,- in, not, and castus, chaste, or pure. 

INCHOATE, adj. In an incipient state ; just begun ; imperfect. L. 
inchoatus, p. part, of inchoo ; comp. of in, not, and coguo, to boil. 

INCIDENT, adj. Casual ; fortuitous ; apt to happen. L. incident, 
part, of incido ,- in, into, and cado, to fall. 

INCINERATE, v. To burn to ashes. L. in, into, and cineres, ashes. 

INCIPIENT, adj. State of commencement ; proceeding after a begin- 
ning ; early; immature. L. incipiens, part of incipio ; in, into, and 
capio, to take. 

INCISION, s. Act of cutting into ; a cut. L. incisio ,• incisus, p. part, 
of incido , • in, into, and csedo, to cut. 

INCITE, v. To urge on. L. incito ,• in, to, and citum, sup. ofcieo, to 
move. 

INCLEMENT, adj. Unmerciful ; severe. L. in, not, and clemens, 
merciful. 

INCLINE, v. To bend, or lean ; to be favourable. L. inclino; in, to- 
wards, and clino, to bend. 

INCLUDE, v. To comprise. L. includo ,- in, in, and claudo, to shut. 

INCLUSIVE, adj. Comprised. F. inclusif: L. inclusus, p. part, of 
includo. See INCLUDE. 

INCOGNITA. Unknown ; applied to a single thing of the feminine 
gender, — as, terra incognita, the unknown country ; the fair incog- 
nita, or unknown female : or to several things of the neuter gender. 
L. incognitus ,• in, not, and cognosco, to know. 

INCOGNITO. A term, abbr. incog., which denotes a concealment 
of the proper person or rank, when travelling, or in any public place 
of amusement. See INCOGNITA. 

INCOHERENT, adj. Unconnected ; inconsistent. L. in, not, and co- 
herent. 

INCOMMODE, v. To inconvenience. L. incommodo ,■ in, not, and 
cojnmodo, to help. 

INCOMPATIBLE, adj. Inconsistent. L. in, not, and compatible. 

INCONTINENT, adj. Variable ; inconstant ; unchaste. L. in, not, 
and continent. 

INCORPORATE, v. To unite ; to form into a corporation. L. in, 
into, and corporate. 

INCORPOREAL, adj. Not corporeal ; spiritual. L. in, not, and cor- 
poreal. 

INCORRIGIBLE, adj. Bad beyond amendment. L. in, not, and cor- 
rigible. 

INCREMENT, s. Increase; produce. L. incrementum ,• from in- 
cresco, to increase. 

INCUBATION, s. Hatching-. L. incubatio ; incubo, to lie or sit on: 
in, upon, and cumbo, to lie down. 



INC— IND 

INCUBUS, s. The night-mare ; an inflation of the members of the 
stomach, which causes the sensation of a weight, oppressing the 
breast. L. from incumbo, to lie upon. 

INCULCATE, v. To impress on the mind, by frequent repetitions. L. 
inculco; in, into, and calco, to tread: calx, the heel. 

INCULPATE, v. To charge with a fault ; to criminate. L. in, upon, 
and culpa, a fault. 

INCUMBENT, adj. Lying on ; imposed as a duty. L. incumbens, 
part, of incumbo. See INCUMBER. 

INCUMBENT. 5. One who is in the enjoyment of an office. See the 
adjective. 

INCUMBER, v. To oppress ; to inconvenience. F. encombrer .• L. 
incumbo, to lean upon: in, upon, and cumbo, to lie down. 

INCUR, v. To become liable to 5 to cause. L. incurro ,• in, into, and 
curro, to run. 

INCURSION, s. Hasty and sudden invasion; inroad. L. incursio ; 
comp. of in, into, and cursum, sup. of curro, to run. 

INDECOROUS, adj. Indecent 5 unbecoming. L. in, not, and de- 
corous. 

INDEFATIGABLE, adj. Not to be wearied. L. indefatigabilis ,- in, 
not, and dzfatigo, to weaiy. 

INDEFEISIBLE. adj. Not to be annulled ; irrevocable. F. indefai- 
sible ; in, signifying, not, and defaire, to undo. 

INDEFINITE, adj. Unlimited ; undetermined. L. in, not, and de- 
finite. 

INDELIBLE, adj. Not to be blotted out or effaced ; never to be for- 
gotten. L. indelibilis ,- in, not, and deleo, to blot out. 

INDEMNIFY, v. To secure against loss. L. in, not, and an obsolete 
English word, damnify ,• damnum, hurt. 

INDENT, v. To mark or cut in the form of a row of teeth. L. in, 
after the manner of, and denies, (pi. of dens,) teeth. 

INDENTURE, s. A written document, of which there is at least one 
counterpart: from indent ,- because, the several writings, placed one 
upon another, were formerly indented, with a knife ; so that, when, 
at any future time, laid together again, a forgery could be detected, 
if there appeared any disagreement in the parts indented. 

INDEX, s. A discoverer ; a pointer ; table of contents. L. index ; 
indictus, p. part, of indico. See INDICATE. 

INDICATE, v. To show. L. indico ; in, concerning, and dico, to 
say. 

INDICATIVE, adj. Showing; simply affirming, as, "I love." L. 
indicativus. See INDICATE. 

INDICES, s. Algebraic quantities. L. indices, pi. of index. See 
INDEX. 

INDICTMENT, s. (Pronounced inditement.) A written accusation, 
preferred to, and presented on oath by, a grand jury. L. in, 
against, and dico, to say. 

INDIGENOUS, adj. Originally produced in a country ; not exotic. L. 
indigena, a native : G. endon, within, and gennao, to produce. 

INDIGENT, adj. Needy ; poor. L. indigtns, part, of indigeo, to be 
needy. 



IND— INF 

INDIGNATION, s. A sentiment of anger, awakened by the atrocious 

or unworthy conduct of another. L. indignaiio ; from indignor, t& 

think unworthy. 
INDISPENSABLE, adj. Not to be spared ; essentially necessaiy. L. ' 

in, not, and dispensable. See DISPENSE. 
INDfV;Ti* T \.L. adj. Separate from others of the same kind ; single. 

L. hid'v dints ■ ?•, not, and divido, to divide; meaning, one that 

cannot be subdivided. 
INDIVISIBLE, adj. Not possible to be divided. L. in, not, and 

divisible. 
• INDOLENT, adj. Careless ; lazy. L. in, not, and dohns, part, of do- 

leu, fo feel or iret. 
INDUBITABLE, adj. Unquestionable ; certain. L. indubitabilis ; 

comp. of in, not, and dubium, a doubt. 
INDUCE, v. To persuade; to influence; to cause. L. induco ; i?i, 

towards, and duco, to lead. 
INDUCTION, s. A term in logic, expressing a mode of argument 

more tedious than a syllogism ; by which, from several particular 

propositions, we infer one general proposition. It is used also to 

denote the giving corporal possession of a church, to a new minister. 

L. induct io ; from in, into, and ductus, p. part, of duco, to lead. 
INDUE, v. To invest ; to furnish. L. indup, to put on, or cover 

over. 
INDULGE, v. To be favourable to ; to encourage by compliance ; to 

gratify with concession ; to fondle. L. indulgeo ,• cornp. of in, to- 
wards, and dulcis, sweet. 
INDURATE, v. To harden. L. induro ,• from in, into, and durus, 

hard. 
INEBRIATE, v. To intoxicate; to make drunk. L. inetnio ; 17%, 

into, and ebrius, drunken. 
INEBRIATION, s. Intoxication. L. in, in, and ebrietas, drunkenness. 
INEFFABLE, adj. Unspeakable; unutterable. F. ineffable: L. in- 

effubilis ,• in, not, ad, with regard to, and for, to speak. 
INERT, adj. Inactive; sluggish; motionless. L. iners; in, without, 

and ars, power, or art. 
INESTIMABLE, adj. Invaluable. L. inestimabilis ,- in, not, an£ 

sestimo, to value. 
INEVITABLE, adj. Unavoidable ; certain. L. inevitabilis ,• in, not^ 

and evtto, to shun. 
INEXORABLE, adj. Not to be entreated ; inflexible. L. inexorabilis: 

in, not, ex, from, and orari, (infin. of oror,) to be entreated. 
INEXPLICABLE, adj. Incapable of being explained. L. inexplica- 

bills ,• in, not, and explico, to unfold. 
IN EXTENSO. At large ; without any curtailment or abridg- 
ment. L. 
INFALLIBLE, adj. Free from the possibility of error ; certain. L. 

in, not, and fallible. 
INFAMOUS, adj. Publicly branded with guilt. L. infamis ,• in, with- 
out, andfama, reputation. 
INFANT, s. A young child ; in law, a minor. L. infans, without 

speech: in, not, and for, to speak. 
INFANT, adj. In a state of commencement. See the noun* 



INF— INF 

INFANTICIDE, s. The murder of a child. L. infaniicidium ; comp. 

of infans, a child, and csedo, to kill. 
INFANTRY, s. Foot soldiers. F. infanierie ; enfant, an infant; mean- 
ing-, that those soldiers are small, in comparison with cavalry. 
INFATUATE, v. To strike with folly ; to deprive of understanding 1 . 

L. mfatuo ,- in, into, and fatuus, sihy. 
INFECT, v. To taint ; to pollute. L. infedum, sup. of inficio, to 

stain: in, into, and facto, to make. 
INFER, v. To deduce. L. infero ,- from in, into, and fero, to bring 1 . 
INFERIOR, adj. Lower in place 5 subordinate. L. inferior, lower: 

positive, infra, beneath ; comp. inferior, lower ; sup. infimus, 

lowest. 
INFERNAL, adj. Relating to hell ; atrocious. L. infernus ; infra, 

below. 
INFEST, v. To disturb ; to vex ; to harass. L. infesto ; in, not, and 

festus, joyous or happy. 
INFIDEL, s. An unbehever in regard to religious tenets. L. infidelis; 

in, without, fides, faith, or belief. 
INFINITE, adj. Unlimited 5 very large. L. inJinUus ; in, not, and 

finis, an end. 
INFIRM, adj. Tottering ; weak. L. in, not, and firm. 
INFLAME, v. To kindle ; to provoke. L. infiammo ; in, into, and 

fiamma, a flame. 
INFLATE, v. To swell with wind ; to fill with the breath ; to make 

turgid. L. infiatum, sup. of infio ; from in, into, and fio, to blow. 
INFLECTION, or INFLEXION, s. The act of bending ; variation of 

a noun or verb. L. infiedio, or infiexio ,- from infiecto ; in, in, or 

towards, axidfiedo, to bend. 
INFLEXIBLE, adj. Not possible to be bent, or prevailed on. L. m- 

fiexibilis ,■ in, not, and fiedo, to bend. 
INFLICT, v. To impose as a punishment. L. infiicium, sup. of in- 

fiigo ,- in, upon, and^igo, to beat. 
INFLUENCE, s. Power of effecting. L. infiuens, part, of infiuo ; 

comp. of in, into, or against, andfiuo, to flow, or proceed. 
INFLUX, s. Act of flowing into. L. infiuxus, part, of infiuo ; in, 

into, andfiuo, to flow. 
INFOL1ATE. v. To cover with a resemblance of leaves. L. in, upon, 

folium, a leaf. 
INFORM, v. To communicate what has lately happened ; to instruct. 

L. informo; in, into, and/orrao, to frame: forma, a shape. 
IN FORMA PAUPERIS. In the form of a poor man ; a law phrase, 

to denote a certain exemption, granted, in the English courts, to 

those who cannot afford the expense of a lawsuit. L. in, in, forma, 

the form, pauperis, (gen. of pauper,) of a poor man. 
IN FORO CONSCIENTLE. "In a court of conscience ;" with a 

clear conscience. L. 
INFRACTION, s. Breach. L. infradio ,- in, into, and fradus, p. part. 

of frango, to break. 
INFRANGIBLE, adj. Not possible to be broken. L. in, not, and 

frangible. 
INFRINGE, v. To violate. L. infringo ; from in, into, and frangaj 

t« break. 



©JF— INN 

INFURIATE, v. To enrage. L. in, into, and furia, a fury or fiencL 
INFUSE. v. To pour into; to extract without bo ; l : ng\ F. inficser ; 

L. infusurriy sup. of infundo ; from in, m:o, aiiu ■ : ndo, to pour. 
INGENIOUS, adj. Having- genius ; inventive. L. . ngeniosus ,- ingt- 

nium, capacity; wit: in, in, and gigno, or geno, to beget. G.gennao. 
INGENUOUS, adj. Candid ; generous. L. ingenuus, free-born ; of 

good extraction ; honest. See INGENIOUS. 
INGRATIATE, v. To recommend to kindness. L. in, into, and gratia, 

affection, or favour. 
INGRESS, s. Entrance. L. ingressus ,- in, into, and gressus, part, of 

gradior, to step. 
INGUINAL, adj. Relating to the groin. L. inguinis, gen. of inguen, 

the groin. 
INHABIT, v. To dwell in permanently. L. in, in, and habito, to 

dwell: habeo, to have, held, or occupy. 
INHALE, t'. To draw in [to the lungs.] L. inhalo ,• convp. of in, into, 

and halo, to breathe. 
INHERENT, adj. Naturally conjoined ; innate. L. inheerens, part, of 

inhsereo ; in, in, and hsereo, to stick. 
INHERIT, v. To receive or possess by inheritance. F. inheriter. See 

HEIR. 
INHIBIT, v. To restrain ; to prohibit. L. inhibeo ,- in, against, and 

habeo, to have or hold ; meaning, some obstruction. 
INHUMATE. v. To bury. L. inhumo ; from in, into, and humus, 

the ground. 
EVIMICAL. adj. Hostile. L. inimicus; in, not, and amicus, a friend. 
INIQUITY, s. High degree of injustice ; crime. F. iniquite : L. in- 

iquitas ; iniquus, unequal: in, not, and sequus, equal. 
INITIAL, adj. At the beginning. L. initialis ,- initium, a beginning ; 

in, into, and itio, a going: Hum, sup. of eo, to go. 
INITIATE, v. To enter ; to introduce. L. initio. See INITIAL. 
INJECT, v. To throw in. L. injectum, sup. of injicio ,• in, into, and 

jaa'o, to throw. 
INJUDICIOUS.^'. Unwisely judged, or designed. L. in, not, and 

judicious. 
INJUNCTION, s. Act of enjoining; command or rule, associated with 

some business or duty. L. injunctio ; injunclus, p. part, of injungo; 

in, with, and jungo, to join. 
INJURE, v. To hurt unjustly ; to damage. L. injuria ; in, against,, 

and juris, gen. of jus, right. 
IN LIMINE. At the threshold ; inceptively ; at the commence- 
ment. L. in, in, limine, abl. of limen, the threshold of a door. 
INNATE, adj. Born with ; inherent. L. innatus, part, of innascor ; 

in, and nascor, to be born. 
INNOCENT, adj. Guiltless; innocuous. L. innocens ; from in, not, 

and nocens, part, of noceo, to hurt. 
INNOCUOUS, adj. Harmless in effect. L. innocuus ; in, not, and 

noceo, to hurt. 
INNOVATE, v. To introduce something new or uncommon, (which 

is thought inconvenient or dangerous.) L. innovo j from in, into,- 

and novus, new. 



INN— INS 

INNOXIOUS, adj. Free from mischievous effects, or from crimes. L. 

innoxius ,- in, not, and noceo, to hurt. 
INNUENDO, s. Oblique hint. L. innuendo, by nodding ; abl. gerund 

of »nuo ; in, towards, and nuo, to nod. 
INNUMERABLE, adj. Not possible to be counted; extremely nu- 
merous. L. innumerabilis ; comp. of in, not, and numero, to reckon. 
INOCULATE, v. To insert a bud or cutting of one plant in another ; 

to insert the virus of tbe small pox, or to vaccinate. L. inoculo,- in, 

into, arid oculus, an eye ; meaning the eye of the bud. 
INODOROUS, adj. Without smell ; not affecting the nose. L. inodo- 

rozus ; in, without, and odos, smell. 
INORDINATE, adj. Irregular ; disorderly. L. inordinatus ,- in, with- 
out, and ordo, a rule. 
IN PROPRIA PERSONA. In his (or her) own person; in personal 

attendance. L. 
INQUEST, s. Inquiry authorized by law. F. enqueste : L. in, into, 

and qusesltus, p. part, of qii3E,ro, to seek or inquire. 
INQUIRE, v. To ask a question ; to search. L. inquiro ,• in, into, 

and qua&ro, to seek. 
INQUISITION, s. Inquest ; prison, established under papal authority, 

for the examination and punishment of heretics. L. inquisitio. See 

INQUEST. 
INSANE, adj. Of unsound mind. L. insanus ; comp. of in, not, and 

sanus, healthy. 
INSATIABLE, adj. Greedy, so as not to be satisfied. L. insatiabiUs ,• 

in, not, and satio, to sat.sfy. 
INSATIATE, adj. Insatiable. L. insatiatus. See INSATIABLE. 
INSCRIBE, v. To write in, or upon, or to dedicate. L. inscribo; from 

in, in, on, or to, and scribo, to write. 
INSCRIPTION, s. Something inscribed. L. inscriptio ; inscriptus, p. 

part, of inscribo. See INSCRIBE. 
INSCRUTABLE, adj. Unsearchable ; undiscoverable. L. inscruta- 

bilis ; in, not, and scruto, to explore. 
INSECT, s. A small animal, having a separation in the middle of its 

bod\, joined by a ligature ; as in a common fly. L. insedus, cut or 

notched: in, into, and seco, to cut. 
INSERT, v. To place in, or into, or amongst. L. insertum, sup. of 

insero ,• in, in, and sero, to plant. 
INSIDIOUS, adj. Sly ; treacherous. L. insidiosus .• from insideo ; 

comp. of in, in or upon, and sedeo, to sit. 
INSIGNIFICANT, adj. Without a meaning ; unimportant; contempt- 
ible. L. in, not, and significant. 
INSINUATE, v. To introduce gently ; to hint. L. insinuo ; from in, 

into, and sinus, the bosom. 
INSIPID, adj. Not affecting the palate ; uninteresting. L. insipidus ; 

in, without, and sapor, savour. 
INSIST, v. Not to recede from terms or assertions ; to persist in. L. 

insisto ; in, in, and ststo, to continue. 
INSOLENT, adj. Contemptuous; haughty. L. insolens ,■ in, not, and 

solens, part, ot'soleo, to be accustomed: (the derivation of this word 

cannot easily be explained.) 



INS— INT 

INSOLUBLE, adj. Not soluble ; not possible to be made fluid. L. in, 
not, and soluble. 

INSOLVABLE. adj. Not solvable ; inextricable. L. in, not, and 
solvable. 

INSOLVENT, adj. Unable to pay. L. in, not, and solvent. 

INSPECT, v. To examine. L. inspector in, into, and specto, to eye 
carefully: speclum, sup. of specio, to see. 

INSPERSION. s. A sprinkling- upon. L. inspersio,- inspersus, p. part, 
of inspergo ,- in, upon, and spargo, to strew, or sprinkle. 

INSPIRE, v. To breathe into ; to animate. L. inspiro ; in, into, and 
spiro, to breathe. 

INSPISSATE, v. To thicken. L. in, into, and spissus, clammy. 

INSTALL, v. To perform a particular ceremony of admitting" to an 
office or dignity. F. installer ,• en, into, and stalle, a seat for digni- 
fied clergymen: stalle, is from a Saxon word, denoting an enclosed 
place or bench. 

INSTANT, s. A point of time ; adj. noting the present month. F. 
instant : L. instans, part, of insto ,- in, in, and sto, to stand. 

1NSTANTER. s. Instantly. L. See INSTANT. 

IN STATU QUO. In the former state ; without any change. L. in, 
in, statu, abl. of status, the state, quo, abl. of qui, in which [it was.] 

INSTIGATE, v. To urge or incite [to a crime.] L. instigo ; in, into, 
and stlgo, to goad. 

INSTIL, v. To infuse by drops 4 to insinuate imperceptibly. L. in- 
stillo ,• in, into, and stillo, to drop, or trickle down. 

INSTINCT, s. The desire or aversion which causes action without the 
use of reason. L. instinctus ,• from instinguo, to move. 

INSTITUTE, v. To establish, appoint, or enact. L. instituo; from 
in, in, and statuo, to erect. 

INSTRUCT, v. To teach ; to direct ; to inform. L. instructum, sup. 
of instruo ,- in, in, and struo, to pile up, or build. 

INSTRUMENT, s. A tool ; a machine ^ a written document. L. in- 
strumentum ,- from instruo. See INSTRUCT. 

INSULAR, adj. Relating to an island. L. insularis ,- insula, an island. 

INSULATE, v. To make like an island 5 to remove all connexion. 
See INSULAR. 

INSULT, v. To treat with insolence or contempt 5 scornfully to tri- 
umph over. L. insulto ,• in, against, and saltus, p. part, of salio, to 
leap or dance. 

INSUPERABLE, adj. Not to be overcome ; insurmountable. L. in- 
superabilis : in, not, and supero, to climb over: super, above, and 
eo, to go. 

INTEGER, s. A whole 5 a whole number. L. integer, entire. 

INTEGRAL, adj. Whole ; complete. F. integral. See INTEGER. 

INTEGRITY, s. State of being- undivided ; honesty. L. integritas. 
See INTEGER. 

INTELLECT, s. The understanding. L. intelkctus; intelligo, to un- 
derstand: inius, within, and lego, to gather. 

INTELLIGIBLE, adj. Possible to be understood. L. intelliglbilis ; 
intelligo, to understand. 

INTEND, v. To purpose ; to design. JU intendo ; comp. of in, to- 
wards, and tendo, to stretch. 
L 



INT— INT 

INTENDANT. 5. In France, means a superintending officer. F. in- 

tendant. See INTEND. 
INTENSE, adj. Denoting- an extreme degree. L. intensus, p. part. 

of intendo ; in, into, and tendo, to stretch. 
INTENT, adj. Anxiously attentive, or diligent. L. intentus, p. part. 

of intendo. See INTENSE. 
INTENTION, s. Purpose, or design. L. intentio. See INTEND. 
INTER, v. To bury. F. enterrer : L. in, into, and terra, the earth. 
INTERCALAR, or INTERCALARY, adj. Additional, to preserve the 

equation of time ; as, the 29th of February, in a leap year. L. in- 

tercalarius ; from intercalo, to insert. 
INTERCEDE, v. To mediate. L. intercede, to come between. 
INTERCEPT, v. To stop on the way. L. interceptum, sup. of inter- 

cipio i inter, between, and capio, to take. 
INTERCESSION, s. Mediation. L. iniercessio ; intercessum, sup. of 

inter cedo. See INTERCEDE. 
INTERCIPIENT. adj. Intercepting. L. intercipiens, part, of intercipio. 

See INTERCEPT. 
INTERCOSTAL, adj. Between the ribs. F.- intercostal: L. inter, 

between, and cost a, a rib. 
INTERCOURSE, s. Communication; commerce. F. entrecours: L. 

inter, between, and curro, to run. 
INTERDICT, v. To restrain pendente lite; to prohibit; to forbid. 

L. interdictum, sup. of interdico ; inter, between, and dico, to say, 

or object. 
INTEREST, s. Concern ; regard to private profit ; advantage ; parti- 
cipation ; money paid for the use of money : from intersum, to be 

present: comp. of inter, between, or amongst, and sum, I am. 
INTERFERE, v. To interpose. L. inter, between, and/m>, to bring, 
INTERIM, s. Intervening time. L. interim, in the meantime: from 

inter, between. 
INTERIOR, adj. Internal ; inner. L. comparative of intra, within : 

pos. intra,- comp. interior; sup. intimus. 
INTERJACENT, adj. Lying between. L. inter jacens, part, of inter- 

jaceo ; inter, between, and jaceo, to he. 
INTERJECTION, s. Interposition ; a word used, without premedita- 
tion, to denote some passion or emotion of the mind. L. interject io ; 

interjectus, p. part of. inter jicio ; comp. of inter, between, and jacio, 

to throw. 
INTERLAPSE. v. To intervene (in regard to time.) L. inter, be- 
tween, and lapse. 
INTERLINE, v. To write between lines. L. inter, between, and 

line. 
INTERLOCUTORY, adj. Consisting of dialogue ; preparatory to a 

final decision. F. interlocutoire : L. inter, between, and locuius, 

part, of loquor, to speak. 
FNTERLUDE. s. An intervening entertainment. L. inter, between, 

and ludus, an entertainment. 
INTERMEDIATE, adj. Intervening; interposed. F. intermedial '.• 

L. inter, between, and medius, the middle. 
INTERMINABLE, adj. Never ending ; immense. L. in, not, and 

terminable. 



INT— INT 

INTERMISSION, s. Act of intermitting ; pause. L. intermissio ; in- 
termissus, p. part, of intermitto. See INTERMIT. 

INTERMIT, v. To stop, but not finally. L. intermitto,- comp. of inter, 
between, and mitto, to send. 

INTERNAL, adj. Interior. L. internus; intra, within. 

INTERNATIONAL, adj. Relating- to the reciprocal intercourse or 
commerce of one nation with another. L. inter, between, and na- 
tional. 

INTERPOLATE, v. To insert, with an evil design. L. interpoh ; 
inter, between, and polio, to make smooth ; meaning, to remove, by 
forgery, something which opposes our own designs. 

INTERPOSE, v. To place between 5 to interfere ; to mediate. L. 
interpositum, sup. of interpono ; inter, between, and pono, to place. 

INTERPRET, v. To explain ; to translate. L. interpretor ; inierpres, 
an interpreter: inter, between. 

INTERREGNUM, s. The term during which a throne is vacant. h> 
interregnum; comp. of inter, between, and regnum, a reign. 

INTERROGATE, v. To question ; to put questions in writing, be- 
tween the commencement and conclusion of a suit in chancery. L. 
interrogo ,• inter, between, and rogo, to ask. 

IN TEB.ROREM. As a threat, or warning. L. in, for the purpose 
of, and terrorem, accus. of terror, fear. 

INTERRUPT, v. To hinder, by interposition ; to separate. L. inter- 
ruptum, sup. of interrumpo ; inter, between, and rumpo, to break. 

INTERSECT, v. To cut, or pass between. L. intersectum, sup. of 
inierseco ,- comp. of inter, between, and seco, to cut. 

INTERSPERSE, v. To scatter amongst. L. inter, amongst, and spar- 
sum, sup. of spargo, to sprinkle. 

INTERSTICE, s. Intervening space, between matter. T. interstice .* 
L. interstitium ; from inter, between, and status, part, of sto, to 
stand. 

INTERVAL, s. Intervening space, as regards either matter or time. 
L. intervallum ,- inter, between, and vallum, a fence. 

INTERVENE, v. To interpose ; to elapse. L. intervenio ; from inter, 
between, and venio, to come. 

INTERVENTION, s. Interposition ; lapse of time. L. interventio ; 
inter, between, and ventum, sup. of venio, to come. 

INTESTATE, adj. Without having made a will. L. intestatus / in, 
without, and testatus, part, of tesior, to witness. 

INTESTINE, adj. Internal. L. intestinus ; intus, within. 

INTIMATE, adj. Familiar ; near. L. intimus, innermost. See IN- 
TERIOR. 

INTIMATE, v. To hint ; to mention indirectly. Low L. intimo ,- in* 
timus, very deep, or secret. 

INTIMIDATE, v. To make fearful. L. in, into, and timidus, fearful: 
timor, fear. 

INTIRE. adj. See ENTIRE. 

INTOLERABLE, adj. Insufferable. L. in, not, and tolerable. 

INTONATION, s. Act of thundering; an inward tone, peculiar to the 
speech of some nations. L. intono, to thunder. 

IN TOTO. Entirely ; wholly. L. in, in, and toto, abl. of totus, 
whole, or wholly. 



INT— INV 

INTOXICATE, v. A word which originally signified to imbue with 
poison ; but now, to deprive of one's reasoning faculties, by success 
or joy ; also, to make drunk. L. in, into, and toxicum, poison. 

INTRANSITIVE, adj. A verb intransitive signifies an action, but con- 
veys no effect to any object ; as, "I walk." L. in, not, and tram 
sitive. 

IN TRANSITU. On the passage ; whilst passing from one place to 
another. L. in, in, and transitu, abl. of iransitus, a passage. 

INTREPID, adj. Fearless ; daring. L. intrepidus ,- from in, not, and 
trepidus, trembling, fearful. 

INTRICATE, adj. Perplexed; obscure. L. intricatus ; in, in, and 
tricatus, part, of tricar, to baffle. 

INTRINSIC, adj. Inherent ; independent of external relation. L. in- 
trinsecus ,- intra, within, and se, itself. 

INTRODUCE, v. To conduct or usher into a place, or to a person ; 
to bring into notice or practice. L. introduce ; intro, within, and 
duco, to lead. 

INTRUDE, v. To enter without permission or invitation; to inter- 
pose with rudeness. L. intrudo ,- comp. of in, into, and trudo, to 
thrust. 

INTRUSION, s. The act of intruding. L. intrusio; intrusum, sup. 
of intrudo. See INTRUDE. 

INTUITIVE, adj. Seen by the mind, without the agency of testimony 
or argument. Low L. intuitivus ,- intus, within. 

INUNDATE, v. To overflow. L. inundo,- in, into, and unda, a wave. 

INURE, v. To accustom ; to harden. L,.inuro,- to brand, or print 
into: from in, into, and uro, to burn. 

INVADE, v. To enter hostilely ; to encroach upon. L. invado ; m t 
into, and vado, to march. 

INVALID, adj. Weak ; of no force. L. invalidus ; in, not, and valeo, 
to be strong. 

INVALID', s. One disabled by sickness or a wound. See the ad- 
jective. 

INVALIDATE, v. To weaken, with regard to evidence ; to annul. 
See INVALTD. 

INVASION, s. The act of invading. L. invasio,- invasum, sup. of in- 
vado. See INVADE. 

INVECTIVE, s. Censure; reproach. F. invective: L. invectio ; in- 
vectus, p. part, of inveho. See INVEIGH. 

INVEIGH, v. To utter an invective. L. inveho ,- from in, against, and 
veho, to carry. 

INVENT, v. To produce something new and ingenious ; to fabricate. 
L. inventum, sup. of invenio, to find: in, upon, and venio, to come. 

INVENTORY, s. A catalogue of moveable property, made by a judi- 
cial officer, in pursuance of legal process ; a list ; an account. F. 
inventoire: L. inveniarium ; inventum, sup. of invenio, to find: in, 
to, and venio, to come. 

INVERSE, adj. Inverted. L. inversus, p. part, of inverto. See IN- 
VERT. 

INVERT, v. To reverse ; to place upside-down, L. inverto ; comp, 
of in, opposite to, and verto, to turn. 



INV— IRR 

INVEST, v. To dress ; to install ; to adorn ; to enclose, or surround. 

L. investio ; in, into, and vestis, a garment. 
INVESTIGATE, v. To examine. L. investigo ; in, into, and vestigo, 

to trace. 
INVETERATE, adj. Obstinate from long continuance. L. invetera- 

tus ,- p. part, of invetero ; in, in, and veteris, gen.ofvetus, old. 
INVIDIOUS, adj. Envious ; malignant ; producing envy or malig- 
nancy. L. invidiosus ; invidia, envy: in, into, and video, to see or 

look. 
INVIGORATE, v. To strengthen, or enliven. L. in, into, and vigour. 
INVINCIBLE, adj. Unconquerable ; insuperable. F. invincible : L. 

in, not, and vinco, to conquer. 
INVIOLATE, or INVIOLATED. adj. Uninjured ; unbroken. L. in- 

violatus ; from in, not, and violatus, (p. part, ofviolo,) hurt. 
INVISIBLE, adj. Imperceptible by the sight. L. in, not, and visible. 
INVITE, v. To allure ; to ask ; to intreat. L. invito ,• in, to, and via, 

a way. 
INVOCATION, s. Supplication ; invitation. L. invocatio. See IN- 
VOKE. 
INVOKE, v. To supplicate ; to invite. L. invoco ,• comp. of in, to, 

and voco, to call. 
INVOLUNTARY, adj. Not desired; not intended. L. in, not, and 

voluntary. 
INVOLUTION, s. Inwrapment ; entanglement. L. involutio ; invo- 

lutus, p. part, of involvo. See INVOLVE. 
INVOLVE, v. To imvrap 5 to comprise ; to entangle. L. involvo ; in, 

in, and volvo, to roll. 
IOTA. s. A jot ; a tittle ; the least quantity imaginable. Iota, (1) the 

smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. 
IPSE DIXIT. The ipse dixit of any person, denotes his mere, un- 
supported assertion. L. ipse, he, dixit, said: dico, to say. 
IPSO FACTO. By the act itself; by the mere doing of a thing. L. 
IRASCIBLE, adj. Easily enraged. L. irascibilis. See IRE. 
IRE. s. Wrath ; anger. L. ira ; from the G. eir, a tempest. 
IRIS. s. The rainbow ; resemblance of a rainbow ; the circle around 

the pupil of the eye ; the fleur-de-luce. L. iris, the rainbow. G, 

iris ; eiro, to announce. 
IRONICAL, adj. Expressing irony. See IRONY. 
IRONY, s. A mode of speech, in which the meaning is contrary to the 

words. L. ironia : G. eironeia : eiron, a dissembler. 
IRRADIATE, v. To illumine ; to brighten. L. irradio : in, into, and 

radius, a ray of light. 
IRREFRAGABLE, adj. Not possible to be confuted. L. irrefraga- 

bills ,• in, not, and refractus, p. part, of refringo, to break open: re, 

again, zndfrango, to break. 
IRREFUTABLE^ adj. Not to be overthrown by argument. L. in, 

not, and refutable. See REFUTE. 
IRRELATIVE, adj. Without relation ; unconnected. L. in, not, and 

relative. 
IRRELEVANT, adj. Unassisting ; not aptly adduced. L. in, not, and 

relevant. 

L2 



IRR— JOK 

IRREMEABLE, adj. Admitting no return ; not to be repassed, L» 
irremeabilis .• from in, not, and remeo, to return: re, back, and eo, 
to go. 

IRRESISTIBLE, adj. Superior to opposition. L. in, not, and re- 
sistible. 

IRRIGATE, v. To overflow with water, as a means of fertilizing. L. 
irrigo, to water. 

IRRIGUOUS. adj. Moist. See IRRIGATE. 

IRRITATE, v. To provoke. L. irriio. See IRE. 

IRRUPTION, s. Violent invasion ; inroad. L. irruptio : irruptus, p, 
part, of irrumpo : from in, into, and rumpo, to break. 

ISOLATED, adj. Detached. F. isole : L. solus, alone. 

ISOSCELES, adj. Relating to an angle which has only two sides equal. 
L. isosceles : G. isos, equal, and skelos, a leg. 

ISTHMUS, s. A neck of land which joins a peninsula to a continent. 
L. isthmus : G. isthmos : istemi, to append. 

ITEM. adv. Also ; s. an individual thing. L. item, also. 

ITERATE, v. To repeat. L. Hero .- ito, to go often. 

ITINERANT, adj. Wandering. F. itinerant: L. itineris, gen. of iter, 
a journey: from Hum, sup. of eo, to go. 

ITINERARY, adj. Relating to a journey. L. itinerarius. See 
ITINERANT. 

J. 

JACOBIN, s. A member of a noted faction in Paris, to whose designs 
the execution of Louis XVI. is attributed ; so called, from their 
meeting at a monastery which had belonged to Jacobine friars. 

JACOBITE, s. A partisan of James II. of England, after his dethrone- 
ment ; and also of his descendants. L. Jacobus, James. 

JANITOR, s. A porter ; a gate-keeper. L. from jan ua, a gate. 

JANUARY, s. The first month. L. Januarius : from Janus, a heathen, 
god ; to whom, it was consecrated by the Romans. 

JAUNDICE, s. A distemper which changes the skin and eyes to a 
yellow colour. F. jaunisse : jaun, yellow. 

JEJUNE, adj.. Deficient in matter ; unaffecting. L. jejunus, bare, 
hungry. 

JELLY, s. A glutinous substance. F. gelee : geler, to freeze. L. 
gelu, frost. 

JET. s. A small rapid issue of any fluid. F. jet : from jetter, to throw. 

JET L'EAU. s. An artificial water-spout. F.jet, a spout, de, of, eau, 
water. 

JE If iy ESPRIT, s. A witticism. F.jeu, play, de, of, esprit, humour, 

JOCOSE, adj. Facetious ; merry. ~L.jocosus: jocus, a jest. 

JOCULAR, adj. Facetious. L,. j ocularis : jocus, a jest. 

JOCUND, s. Merry ; gay. L. jocundus : jocus, a jest. 

JOINT, adj. Shared amongst two or more ; united in the same posses- 
sion ; combined. F. joint: L. junctus, p. part, of jungo, to join- 

JOINTURE, s. Strictly, signifies a joint estate, limited to both hus- 
band and wife ;. it also denotes a sole estate,, limited to the wife 
only. See JOINT. 

JOKE. s. A jest. L. jocus, a jest 






JOL— KAL 

JOLLY, adj. Cheerful ; agreeable. Y.joli: L. jovialis. See JOVIAL. 
JOT. s. An iota ; the least quantity imaginable. Iota, (<) the smallest 

letter in the Greek alphabet. 
JOURNAL, s. A diary ; a compendium from a merchant's day-book. 

F. journal : jour, a day. 
JOURNEY, s. Passage by land. F. journie, a day's work, or day's 

travel : jour, a day. 
JOVIAL, adj. Merry. L. jovialis : from Jovis, gen. of Jupiter. See 

the heathen mythology. 
JUDGE, s. One authorized to determine any cause or question, ac- 
cording to right, and the law, 8cc. L. judex : jus, right, and dico, 

to say. 
JUDICATURE, s. Power of distributing justice ; court of justice. F. 

judicature. See JUDICIAL. 
JUDICIAL, adj. Relating or belonging to courts of law. L,.judicialis: 

judex, a judge. 
JUDICIARY, adj. Relating or belonging to judicature. L. judiciarius. 

See JUDICIAL. 
JUDICIOUS, adj. Wisely judged ; prudent. F.judicieux: L. judicis, 

gen. of judex, a judge. 
JUGULAR, adj. Belonging to the throat. L.jugulum, the throat. 
JUNCTION, s. Act of joining ; point of contact ; union. L,.jwictio: 

junctus, p. part, ofjungo, to join. 
JUNCTURE, s. The critical point of time in which two events seem 

to meet. L. junclura : juncturus, future part, of jungo, to join. 
JUNE. s. The sixth month. L. Junius : from Juno, the imaginary 

wife of the heathen deity, Jupiter. 
JUNIOR, adj. The younger. L. junior, younger; compar. of juvenis, 

young. 
JURE D I VINO. By divine law. L. abl. of jus, and divinus. 
JURE HUMANO. By human law. L. abl. of jus, and humanus. 
JURIDICAL, adj. Acting, or used, in the distribution of justice. L, 

juridicalis : juridicus, a judge: juris, gen. of jus, right. 
JURISDICTION, s. Legal authority; limited extent of power. L, 

jurisdictio: from juris, gen. of jus, law, and dictio, a declaration. 
JURY. s. An assembly of persons sworn to discover and declare the 

truth. L. jura, to swear. 
JUSTICE, s. Strict legal right ; equity ; punishment, (opposed to 

mercy ;) a judge. F. justice: L,. jus, right. 
JUSTIFY, v. To clear from imputed guilt ; to defend. F. justifier : 

L. Justus, right, a.ndfacio, to make. 
JUVENILE, adj. Youthful ; relating or belonging to youth. L. juve- 
nilis : juvenis, young. 
JUXTAPOSITION, s. Proximity. L. juxta, near to, and position. 

K. 

KALEIDOSCOPE, s. An optical instrument, invented by Brewster of 
Edinburgh, which gives to substances placed within it, an almost 
unlimited variety of beautiful appearances. G. kalos, beautiful, idea, 
form, and skopeo, to view. 



LAB— LAR 



L. 



LABIAL, adj. Uttered by the lips ; relating or belonging to the lips= 

L. labiulis : from labium, a lip. 
LABORATORY, s. A chemist's work-room. F. laboratoire .- L. laboro, 

to labour. 
LABORIOUS, adj. Fatiguing; diligent. L. laboriosus : from labor, 

labour. 
LABOUR, s. Painful exertion of strength ; work ; travail. F. labeur : 

L. labor, labour. 
LACERATE, v. To tear. L. lacero, to tear. 
LACHRYMAL, adj. Generating tears. L. lachryma, a tear. 
LACHRYMATORY, s. A vessel in which tears were gathered, in ho- 
nour of the dead. L. lachryma, a tear. 
LACONIC, adj. In few words ; brief. L. laconicus .• from Laconia, 

the country of the Spartans ; who delivered their sentiments in few 

words. 
LACTARY. adj. Milky ; having milk. L. lactarius .• lac, milk. 
LACTATES, s. Salts formed from the lactic acid. L. lac, milk. 
LACTEAL, adj. Milky ; conveying chyle of the colour of milk. s. L. 

lac, milk. 
LACTEOUS. adj. Milky. L. lacteus .' lac, milk. 
LACTESCENT, adj. Producing milk, or a white juice resembling 

milk. L. lactescens, part, of lactesco : lac, milk. 
LACTOMETER, s. An instrument which shows the quantity of milk 

contained in any fluid. L. lac, milk, and G. metreo, to measure. 
LAITY, s. The people, as distinguished from the clergy. See LAY. 
LAMBENT, adj. Gliding over gently. L. lambens, part, of lambo, to 

lick. 
LAMBDOIDAL. adj. Having the form of the Greek letter A, lambda. 
LAMINJE. s. Thin plates or layers. L. laminae, plural of lamina, a 

thin plate of metal. 
LANGUAGE, s. Human speech ; national tongue ; expression. F. 

langage : L, lingua, a tongue. 
LANGUID, adj. Faint; feeble. L. languidus: from langueo, to lan- 
guish. 
LANTGEROUS. adj. Bearing wool. L. luniger ; from lana, wool, and 

gero, to bear. 
LANUGINOUS. adj. Downy; covered with soft hair. L. lanuginosus: 

from lanugo, down. 
LAPIDARY, s. One who deals in gems, or finishes them. F. lapi- 

daire : L. lapis, a stone. 
LAPIDEOUS. adj. Stony; of the nature of stone. L. lapideus : lapi- 

dis, gen. of lapis, a stone. 
LAPIDESCENT. adj. Growing or turning to stone. L. lapidescens, 

part, of lapidesco : lapis, a stone. 
LAPSE, s. Flow ; period passed ; small error. L. lapsus, part, of 

labor, to glide, or slip. 
LARCENY, s. Theft, committed without violence. F. laran: L. la- 



LAR— LEG 

troeinium : latro, a hired soldier, (anciently held in disrepute,) a 

robber. 
LARGESS. 5. A present ; a gift ; a bounty. F. largesse .• L. largio, 

to give liberally, to bestow. 
LARYNX, s. The windpipe or trachea. G. lartvix, the throat. 
LASCIVIOUS, adj. Lewd. L. lascivus: laxus, loose. See LAX. 
LASSITUDE, s. Weariness. L. lassitudo: from laxus, loose, uff- 

strung. 
LATENT, adj. Concealed. L. late? is, part, of lateo, to lurk. 
LATERAL, adj. Relating to the side ; or to a motion from side to 

side. L. lateralis : from latus, a side. 
LATINISM. s. A mode of speech peculiar to the Latin language. 
LATITAT, s. A writ, issuing from the Ring's Bench, in England ; 

which supposes the defendant to be concealed. L. latitat, (from 

latito,) he lurks. 
LATITUDE, s. Breadth; extensive range; distance from the equator, 

L. latitudo: from latus, broad: lotus, (p. part, of fero,) borne, or 

earned ; that is, extended. 
LATITUDINARIAN. s. One who thinks or acts without restraining 

himself. L. latitudo. See LATITUDE. 
LAUD. v. To praise highly; to extol. L. laudo, to praise. 
LAUDABLE, adj. Praiseworthy. L. laudabilis ; from laudo, to 

praise. 
LAUNDRY, s. A house, or room, in which clothes are washed. F. 

lavanderie • L. lavo, to wash. 
LAUREAT, or LAUREATE, adj. Decked with a laurel, or supposed 

to be so honoured. L. laureatus : laurea, a laurel-tree, or garland 

of laurels. 
LAVATORY, s. A medicinal wash. See LAVE. 
LAVE. v. To wash ; to bathe. L. lavo, to wash. 
LAVISH, adj. Prodigal. L. lavo, to throw or shake off. 
LAX. adj. Loose ; slack ; vague, s. A looseness, or diarrhoea. L. 

laxus, loose. 
LAXITY, s. Looseness ; slackness ; want of precision. L. laxitas* 

See LAX. 
LAY. adj. Regarding the laity. G. laos, the people. 
LAYMAN, s. One who is not a clergyman. See LAY. 
LEAGUE, s. A confederacy; a combination, either of interest or 

friendship. F. ligue : L. ligo, to bind. 
LEASE, s. A contract, by which a temporary possession is granted, 

of houses, lands, 8cc. F. laisser : L. laxo, to unloose, or set at 

liberty. 
LEAVEN, s. That which raises bread, and is usually called yeast or 

barm ; something which makes a general change in the mass ; in 

general, denoting corruption. F. levain .- L. levo, to raise. 
LECTURE, s. An instructive discourse. F. lecture.- L. lego, (legere,) 

to select, or to read. A lecture, as distinguished from a sermon, 

seems to denote selection : being explanatory of several passages of 

Scripture, and not referring to a particular text. In general, the 

term alludes to reading. 
LEGACY, s. Chattel property bequeathed by a last will. L. legatum .• 

from lego, {legare,) to bequeath. 



LEG— LET 

LEGAL, adj. Lawful 5 relating or belonging to law. L. legalis: from 

legis, gen. of lex, a law. 
LEGATE, s. An ambassador ; a papal ambassador or commissioner. 

L. legatus : from lego, to intrust. 
LEGATEE, s. One to whom a legacy has been willed. L. legatum, 

a legacy. See LEGACY. 
LEGEND, s. A chronicle of the lives of saints ; any memorial or rela- 
tion 5 any inscription, particularly on coins and medals. L. legenda, 

[things] to be read ; from lego, (legere. ) 
LEGERDEMAIN, s. Slight of hand. F. legerete, nimbleness, de, of, 

main, the hand. 
LEGIBLE, adj. Such as can be read. L. legibilis : from lego, to read. 
LEGION, s. A Roman battalion, consisting of about five thousand men. 

L. legio : from lego, to collect. 
LEGISLATOR, s. One who makes laws. L. legislator : leges, laws, 

and latum, sup. of fero, to carry, or propose. 
LEGITIMATE, adj. Regular ; proper ; born in wedlock. L. legiti- 

mus, lawful ; from legis, gen. of lex, a law. 
LEGUMINOUS, adj. Of the pulse kind, as beans and peas ; such as 

are not reaped, but gathered by the hand. L. legumen, pulse ; 

from lego, to gather. 
LEISURE, s. Freedom from business or hurry ; convenience of time. 

F. loisir : from the L. laxus, loose. 
LENIENT, adj. Assuaging ; mild ; merciful. L. leniens, part, of lento, 

to assuage ; lenis, mild. 
LENITIVE, s. Something to ease pain. F. lenitif. See LENITY. 
LENITY, s. Mildness 5 tenderness. L. lenitas : lenis, mild. 
LENS. s. An optical g-lass which is convex on two sides. L. lens, a 

kind of pulse, called lentil, — from a resemblance of that glass to the 

form of its seed. 
LENTICULAR, adj. Of the form of a lens. F. lenticulaire : L. lentis, 

gen. of lens. See LENS. 
LENTIFORM. adj. Having the shape of a lens. L. lentis, of a lens, 

and forma, figure. 
LENTIGINOUS. adj. Scurfy ; partaking of the lentigo. L. lentigi- 

nosus. See LENTIGO. 
LENTIGO, s. A freckly or scurfy eruption on the skin. L. from lentis, 

gen. of lens, a kind of pea or pulse, called a lentil. 
LEO. s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. leo, a lion. 
LEPER, s. One having the leprosy. See LEPROSY. 
LEPROSY, s. A disorder which covers the body with a kind of white 

scales. L. lepra . G. lepra > lepros, scabby. 
LEPROUS, adj. Infected with leprosy. L. leprosus. See LEPROSY. 
LESSON, s. Any thing read or repeated to a teacher ; precept ; por- 
tion of scripture read in divine service. F. legon : L. lectio : lego, 

to read, 
LETHARGY. 5. A morbid drowsiness. G. lethargia: from hike, for- 

getfulness, and argos, slothful, dull. 
LETTER, s. One of the elements of a syllable ; an epistle ; literal 

meaning. F. lettre : L. litem, a letter. 
LETTRES DE CACHET. Private letters or mandates, {sealed 



LEV— LIB 

letters) formerly issued by the kings of France, under the royal sig- 
net, for the apprehension of persons obnoxious to the court. F. 
LEVARI FACIAS. A writ which commands the sheriff to levy the 

plaintiff's debt, whereby that officer may seize all the goods of the 

defendant, and receive the rents and profits, till satisfaction be made 

to the plaintiff. L. 
LEVATOR, s. A surgical instrument, for raising depressed parts of 

the skull. L. levator : from levo, to lift. 
LEVEE, s. An assemblage of persons at a court ; an artificial bank of 

a river. F. levee t from lever, to raise. 
LEVEN. s. — See LEAVEN ; which is the most common, though not 

the most correct, mode, of spelling the word. 
LEVER, s. One of the mechanical powers. F. levier : L. levo, to lift, 
LEVIGATE, v. To reduce to veiy fine powder ; to mix until a liquor 

becomes smooth and uniform. L. laevigo : from kevis, or levis, 

smooth. 
LEVITY, s. Lightness ; unsteadiness 5 trifling gayety. L. levitas : 

from levis, light. 
LEVY. v. To raise, — applied to money, or an army. F. lever .- L. levo, 

to raise. 
LEXICOGRAPHER, s. A writer of dictionaries. G. lexicon, a dic- 
tionary, and grapho, to write. 
LEXICON, s. A dictionary. G. lexicon : lexis, a word, and eikon, a 

representation, or image. 
LEX MERC ATORIA. The law of merchants. L. 
LEX NATUR3E. The law of nature. L. lex, a law, and naturse, 

gen. of natura, nature. 
LEX NON SCRIP TA. Unwritten law ; the Common Law of Eng- 

land. L. lex, a law, non, not, scripta, (from scribo, ) written. 
LEX SCRIPTA. Written or statute law. L. lex, a law, scripta, 

(from scribo, ) written. 
LEX TALI0N1S. The law of retaliation 5 as, " an eye for an eye, 

a tooth for a tooth." L. lex, a law, and talionis, gen. of talio, like 

for like. 
LIBATION, s. Wine poured upon the ground, in honour of a heathen 

god. L. libatio : G. leibo, to pour out. 
[ LIBEL, s. A defamatory writing ; a species of proceeding in law. L. 

libellus, a little book, a lampoon ; from liber, a book. 
I LIBERAL, adj. Becoming a gentleman ; munificent ; generous. L. 

liberalis .• from liber, free. 
[ LIBERATE, v. To set free. L. libero : from liber, free. 
1 LIBERTICIDE. 5. A traitor to the liberties of his country; a destroyer 

II of hberty. L. libertus, liberty, and csedo, to kill. 
LIBERTINE, s. A Lcentious person. F. libertin .- L. liber, free, un- 
controuled. 
LIBERTY, s. Freedom; privilege ; a district privileged or exempted, 

L. libertas: from liber, free. 
LIBIDINOUS, adj. Lustful ; lewd. L. Hbidinosus : libido, lust. 
LIBRA, s. One of the signs of the zodiac. L. libra, a balance. 
LIBRARY, s. A place for books ; a large collection of books. L. liber, 
a book, 



LIB— LIT 

LIBRATION. s. The state of being balanced. L. Kbratio : libra, a 

balance. 
LICENSE, s. Permission 5 permission allowed by one's-self beyond a 

proper limit. L. licentia : from liceo, to be lawful. 
LICENTIATE, s. One who has obtained a collegiate degree. L. 

licentia, permission. 
LICENTIOUS, adj. Unrestrained by law or moral feeling. L. licen- 

tiosus : from licentia, arbitrary license. 
LICTOR. s. A person who attended the Roman consuls, to apprehend 

or punish criminals. L. lictor .■ probably from ligo, to bind. 
LIEGE, adj. Subject ; sovereign. F. lige .• L. ligo, to bind. 
LIENTERY. s. A species of bodily looseness, or diarrhoea. F. tten- 

terie : G. leion, smooth, and enteron, an intestine. 
LIEU. In lieu, means in the place of. F. lieu, place, stead. 
LIEUTENANT, s. A deputy ; an officer next in rank to a captain. 

F. from lieu, place, or stead, and tenant, part, of tenir, to hold. 
LIGAMENT, s. That which unites or connects ; bond. L. ligamen- 

tum : from ligo, to bind. 
LIGATURE, s. A bandage. L. ligatura : from ligo, to bind. 
LIGNEOUS, adj. Partaking of wood. L. ligneus: lignum, wood. 
LIMIT, s. Boundary ; utmost reach. F. limite .• L. limes, a boundary. 
LIMPID, adj. Transparent. L. limpidus. See LYMPH. 
LINEAL, adj. Composed of lines : descending in a direct family line. 

L. linealis .- from linea, a line. 
LINEAMENT, s. Feature. L. lineamentum : from linea, a line. 
LINEN, s. Cloth made of flax or hemp. L. linum, flax. 
LINGUADENTAL. adj. Uttered by the combined action of the tongue 

and teeth. L. lingua, a tongue, and dens, a tooth. 
LINGUIST, s. One skilled in languages. L. lingua, a tongue or lan- 
guage. 
LESIMENT. s. A species of ointment. L. linimentum : from linio, to 

rub softly. 
LIPOTHYMY. s. A swoon. G. leipothemia : comp. of leipo, to fail, and 

ihumos, the mind. 
LIQUATION, s. The act of melting; capacity to be melted. L. liquo, 

to melt. 
LIQUEFY, v. To become liquid ; to make liquid. L. liquejio : from 

liquor, a fluid, and^o, to become. 
LIQUESCENT, adj. Melting ; of a melting nature. L. liquescens, 

part, of liquesco, to grow liquid: liquo, to melt. 
LIQUID, adj. Melted; fluid; soft. L. liquidus : liqueo, to melt. 
LIQUIDATE, v. To lessen a debt by degrees. L. liqueo, to dissolve. 
LIQUOR, s. Any thing fluid ; vulgarly, intoxicating drink. L. liquor. 

See LIQUID. 
LITANY, s. A form of prayer. G. litaneia, a supplication. 
LITERAL, adj. Not figurative ; following the words precisely ; con- 
sisting of letters. L. litera, a letter. 
LITERARY, adj. Relating to letters, or learning. L. literarius : from 

literse, letters, or learning: litera, a letter. 
LITERATI, s. The learned. L. pi. of literatus, learned ; from literse, 

letters. 
LITERATIM, s. Letter by letter. L. literatim .- from litera, a letter. 



LIT— LOY 

LITHOGRAPHY. 5. The art of engraving on stone. G. llihos, a stone, 

and grapho, to write. 
LITHONTR1PTIC. adj. Medicine for dissolving- the stone in the kid- 

nevs or bladder. G. lithos, a stone, and tribo, to waste or digest. 
LITHOTOMY, s. The art of cutting for the stone. G. lithos, a stone, 

and temno, to cut. 
LITIGATE, v. To contest in law. L. lltlgo : comp. of litis, gen. of Us, 

strife, and ago, to make. 
LITIGIOUS, adj. Fond of lawsuits. L. llilglosus. See LITIGATE. 
LITTER, s. Straw for cattle to lie on ; a bed for carrying a sick or 

luxurious person ; a brood of young, (supposed to be in a bed.) F. 

title re : lit, a bed. 
LITURGY, s. Form of prayers; form of public devotion. G. leltourgla: 

lltos, public, and ergon, a work. 
LTYID. adj. Discoloured, as with a blow. L. llvldus : from llveo, to 

be black and blue, or pale and wan. 
LIXIVIUM, s. A fluid impregnated with a salt. L. lixivium ; from 

llx, lie made with ashes. 
LOBE. s. In anatomy, any fleshy, protuberant part, as the lobes of the 

lungs, the lobes of the ears. G. lobos, the lower part of the ear. 
LOCAL, adj. Relating to place ; in a particular place. F. local.- L. 

locus, a place. 
LOCATE, v. To establish in a particular place. L. loco : from locus, 

a place. 
LOCOMOTION, s. Act of moving from one place to another. L. loco, 

(abl. of locus, ) from a place, and motion. 
LOCUM TENENS. A deputy; a temporary substitute. L. locum, 

a place, and tenens, holding: (locus and teneo.) 
LOCUS SIG1LLI, or L. S. The place of the seal. L. locus, a place, 

and slgllll, gen. of slglllum, a seal. 
LOGARITHMS, s. A species of arithmetic, invented by lord Napier. 

G. logos, a ratio, and arithmos, a number. 
LOGIC, s. The art of reasoning. L. loglce: G. logos, a word, speech, 

or thought. 
LOGOMACHY, s. A contest in, or about, words. G. logomachia: 

comp. of logos, a word, and mache, a battle. 
LONGEVITY, s. Length of life. L. longsevus, long-lived; from hngus, 

long, and aevum, time. 
LONGIMETRY. s. The art of measuring distances. L. hngus, long, 

and G. metreo, to measure. 
LONGITUDE, s. Length ; distance from east to west. L. longltudo : 

from longus, long. 
LOQUACIOUS, adj. Talkative. L. loquacls, gen. of loquax, talkative: 

loquor, to speak. 
LORIC ATED. adj. Plated over, in the manner of a crocodile. L. 

h''ica, a coat of mail. 
LOTION, s. A medicinal wash. L. lotlo: from lotum, sup. of lavo, to 

LOUIS-D'OR. s. A golden coin of France. F. Louis, (the king's 

name, ) de, ot, or, gold. 
LOYAL, adj. Obedient to a prince, or to the national laws ; faithful. 

F. loyal: from lol t a law. 
M 



LUB— LYR 

LUBRICITY, s. Slipperiness, or smoothness; instability. F. lubrkiU - 
L. lubricus, gliding: labor, to slide. 

LUBRIFACTION. s. The act of making slippery or smooth. L. lu- 
bricus, gliding, and facio, to make. 

LUCENT, adj. Shining ; splendid. L. lucens, part, of luceo, to shine. 

LUCID, adj. Shining ; perspicuous. L. lucidus : from lucis, gen. of 
lux, light. 

LUCRATIVE, adj. Profitable. L. lucrativus : from lucrum, gain. 

LUCRE, s. Gain ; money. This is a vulgar word, and always used in 
a degrading sense. F. lucre : L. lucrum, gain. 

LUCUBRATION, s. Nocturnal study. L. lucubratio : from lucis, gen. 
of lux, light ; — meaning candlelight. 

LUDICROUS, adj. Exciting laughter. L. ludicer : from ludus, sport. 

LUGUBRIOUS, adj. Mournful. L. lugubris : lugeo, to mourn. 

LUMBAGO. 5 Pain in the loins and small part of the back. L. lumbi, 
the loins, and ago, to move. 

LUMINARY, s. That which emits light. L. luminare.- from lumen, light, 

LUNACY, s. A species of intermitting mental derangement, errone- 
ously supposed to be influenced by the moon ; madness in general. 
L. luna, the moon. 

LUNAR, adj. Relating or belonging to the moon. L. lunaris : from 
luna, the moon. 

LUNARIAN, s. An inhabitant of the moon. L. luna, the moon. 

LUNATIC, s. One afflicted with lunacy. See LUNACY. 

LUNATION, s. A revolution of the moon. L. luna, the moon. 

LUPERCAL. s. A feast observed at Rome, at the place where Romu- 
lus and Remus were said to have been suckled by a wolf. L. luper- 
cal: from lupa, a female wolf. 

LUSTRATION, s. Religious purification by water, or other sacrifice, 
L. lustratio. See LUSTRUM. 

LUSTRE, s. Brightness, or glitter; renown ; a chandelier. F. lustre- 
L. lustra, to purify. 

LUSTRUM, s. The religious purgation or cleansing of Rome, even- 
fifth year; hence, lustrum is used to denote a period of four years. L. 

LUSUS NJLTURJE. An irregular production of nature; as an animal 
born with five legs, instead of four. L. lusus, a play or freak, na- 
turae, (from notura, ) of nature. 

LUTARIOUS. adj. Living in mud. L. lutarius : from lutum, mud. 

LUTING, s. Clay, or a composition, with which the joints and apertures 
of chemical utensils are closed. F. hit: L. lutum, clay. 

LUXURIANT, adj. Exuberant. L. luxurians: from luxo, to loosen .- 
that is, to grow beyond the proper limit. 

LYMPH, s. A transparent, colourless fluid. L. lympha, a poetical 
term for water. 

LYMPHE'DUCT. s. In anatomy, a vessel which conveys the lymph. 
L. lympha, lymph, and ductus, a guidance: duco, to lead. 

LYRE. s. A harp. F. lyre.- L. lyra: G. lura. 

LYRIC, adj. Relating to poems intended for the harp ; sentimental 
pieces of music. L. lyricus. See LYRE, 



MAC— MAJ 



M. 



MACERATE, v. To make Jean; to wear away. L. macero : from 

macer, lean. 
MACHINATION. 5. Artifice; malicious design. L. machinatio ; from 

machina, an engine. See MACHINE. 
MACHINE, s. An engine of complicated workmanship. F. machine.- 

L. machina .- G. maeliane, a project or endeavour ; quickness or 

advantage. 
MACULA. .9. A spot. L. (pi. maculse.) 

MADRIGAL, s. A pastoral song ; any light, airy, short song. F. ma- 
drigal: L. mandra, a hovel for cattle. 
MAGAZINE, s. A store -house, generally for munitions of war ; a mis- 
cellaneous pamphlet, (imagined as a literary store-house. ) F. ma- 

gazin : G. magos, wise. 
MAGIC, s. Pretended sorcery or enchantment. L. magia .• G. magos, 

wise. 
MAGISTERIAL, adj. Relating to or resembling a magistrate. See 

MAGISTRATE. 
MAGISTRATE, s. A man invested with legal authority. L. magis- 
tral us : magister, a master: from major, greater. 
MAGNA CHARTA. s. The charter of English liberties, obtained 

from king" John, by the barons, in 1215. L. magna, (fern, of mag- 

nus,) great, and charta, (pronounced carta,) paper. 
MAGNANIMITY, s. Greatness of mind ; bravery. L. magnanimitas : 

comp. of magnus, great, and animus, the mind or soul. 
MAGNIFICENT, adj. Grand ; splendid. L. magnijicus : from mag- 

nus, great, and facio, to make. 
MAGNIFY, v. To make great ; to increase to the eye ; to exaggerate. 

L. magnijicio: from magnus, great,, and facio, to make. 
MAGNITUDE, s. Bulk ; dimension. L. magnitudo : from magnus, 

great. 
MAIL. s. A coat of steel net-wovk. to protect the body ; any armour ; 

a postman's bag, or that which covers and protects the letters ; a 

carriage in which the mail is conveyed. F. maille, the mesh of a 

net. 
MAIN. adj. Principal; chief; leading. Old F. magne.- L. magnus, 

great. 
MAIN. s. A continent, or great tract of land ; an ocean, or great sheet 

of water. See the adjective. 
MAINPRISE, s. Delivery into the custody of a friend, upon security 

given for appearance ; bail. F. main, a hand, and prise, possession: 

prendre, to take. 
MAINTAIN, v. To preserve ; to keep; to support. F. maintenir .- 

main, a hand, (that is, in the hand,) and tenir, to hold: L. manus, 

and teneo. 
MAJESTIC, adj. August ; grand ; splendid. L. majestas, superiority, 

majesty: from major, compar. of magnus, great. 
MAJOR, adj. Greater ; used generally before part. L. major, greater; 

compar. of magnus, great. 
| MAJOR, s. An officer next above a captain. L. major, greater, 



* 



MAJ— MAN 



MAJORITY, s. The greater number ; commission or rank of major. 
See MAJOR. 

MALADY, s. Disease. F. maladie .• mal, evil: L. malum, 

MALA FIDE. With a design to deceive. L. abl. of mains, bad, 
and jides, faith. 

MALATES. s. Salts formed by a combination of any base with the 
malic acid. See MALIC. 

MALCONTENT, s. A discontented or dissatisfied person. F. mal- 
content : mal, ill, and content, contented. 

MALEDICTION, s. Curse. L. maledictio : from malus, evil, and 
dictio, an expression. 

MALEFACTOR, s. A criminal. L. male, wickedly, and facio, to do. 

MALEVOLENT. 5. Ill-disposed; malignant. L. malevolus ; from 
malt, wickedly, and voh, to wish. 

MALIC, adj. Malic acid is obtained from the juice of apples. L. ma- 
lum, -an apple. 

MALICE, s. Evil design. F. malice : L. malitia : from malum, wick- 



MALICE PREPENSE. Evil intention, previously cherished. See 

MALICE and PREPENSE. 
MALIFICENT. adj. Malign 5 injurious ; causing- evil. L. §ialum, 

evil, and facio, to make. 
MALIGN, adj. Evil-disposed ; malicious; pestilential. F. maligne: 

L. malignus : malus, evil. 
MALIGNANT, adj. Intending or effecting- ill ; malicious ; hostile to 

life. F. malignant : L. malignus : from malum, evil. 
MALLEABLE, adj. Capable of being spread by hammering. F. 

malleable : L. malleus, a hammer. 
MALLET, s. A wooden hammer, with two heads. F. maillet - L. 

malleus, a hammer. 
MALUM IJV SE. Evil in itself, as murder. Some actions are evil 

only when prohibited by law, as the killing of game, if unprivileged, 

which is malum prohibitum. L. malum, (neuter of malus,) evil, in, 

in, se, itself. 
MALVERSATION. 5. Fraudulent conduct. F. malversation : L. ma- 
lum, evil, and verso, (freq. of verto,) to turn often. 
MANACLES, s. Handcuffs. F. manicles : L. manicse: manus, a hand. 
MANAGE, v. To conduct ; to make tractable. F. menager ; main, 

the hand, and agir, to act. L. manus, and ago. 
MANDAMUS, s. A writ, requiring the person to whom it is directed, 

to do some particular thing, therein specified. L. mandamiis, (from 

mando,) we command. 
MANDATE, s. A command ; a commission. L. mandatum .- from 

mando, to command, or give in charge : manus, a hand, and do, to give. 
MANEGE, s. A place for training horses; a riding school. F. manege. 

See MANAGE. 
MANES, s. The immortal part, or spirit. L. manes .* which appears 

to be derived from maneo, to remain. 
MANEUVRE. s. Finesse ; artful and subtle expedient ; military move- 
ment. F. manoeuvre: comp. of main, the hand, and oeuvre, work. 
MANGE, s. A scorbutic disease amongst brutes. F. manger, to eat ; 

meaning to penetrate the skin. 



MAN— MAE 

MANG ER. s. The trough or vessel in which cattle are fed. F. mail* 

geoire .- manger, to eat. 
"MANIA, s. Raving or furious madness ; generally prevailing adoption 

of something new. G. mania, rage. 
MANIAC, s. One highly deranged in mind. See MANIA. 
MANCEUVRE. See MANEUVRE. 
MANOR. s. Land granted by a sovereign to a person of great merit, 

as an estate or permanent place of residence. Old F. manoir : L. 

maneo, to remain. 
MANSION, s. The house erected on a manor ; a house adapted for a 

permanent residence ; place of abode. L. mansio, a continuance: 

mansum, sup. of maneo. See MANOR. 
MANTELET, s. A kind of pent-house, used by a besieging army, to 

cover the miners and pioneers from the enemy's shot. F. mantelet • 

Old F. mantel, a cloak. 
MANUAL, adj. Performed by the hand. L. manualis : from manus, 

a hand. 
MANUAL, s. A small book, such as may be easily carried in the hand. 

See the adjective. 
MANUFACTURE, v. To form by art and labour. F. manufacturer : 

L. rnanu, (abl. oSmanus,) by the hand, and facio, to make. 
MANUMIT, v. To release from slavery. L. manumitto ; comp. of 

manu, (abl. of manus,) from the hand, and mitto, to send away. 
MANUSCRIPT. *. Something written by the hand, — not printed. L. 
manuscriptum : manu, (abl. of manus,) by the hand, and scriptus, p. 

part, of scribo, to write. 
MARCH, s. The third month. L. Mariius : from Mars, the god of 

war ; to whom, it was dedicated by the Romans. 
MARGIN, s. The brink, or border. L. mar go, the brink. 
MARINE, adj. Belonging to the sea. L. marinas : from mare, the 

sea. 
MARINER, s. A seaman. See MARINE. 
MARITAL, adj. Relating to a husband. F. marital: L. maritus, a 

husband. 
MARITIME, adj. Relating to the sea. L. maritimus : from mare, the 

sea. 
MARQUE, s. "Letters of marque and reprisal;" (words used as syno- 
nymous, and signifying, the latter, a taking in return, the former, 

the passing of the frontiers, in order to such taking:) are granted, 

in order to seize the bodies or goods of offending- foreigners, until 

satisfaction be made. F. from rnarche, £ boundary. 
MARQUIS, or MARQUESS, s. Now denotes a nobleman next in rank 

below a duke ; but originally signified a person whose office was to 

guard the frontiers and limits of the kingdom of England. F. marcke, 

a boundary, or limit. 
MARRY, v. To perform the ceremony of marriage ; to take in mar- 
riage. F. marier .• L. marito, to wed. 
MARTIAL, adj. Warlike; relating to war. F. martial: L. martialis : 

Mars, the god of war. 
MARTYR, s. One who is put to death for holding a particular opinion. 

F. martyr : G. martur, a witness ; because, by his death, he bears 

witness to the truth of his belief. 
M2 



MAR— MAX 

MARTYROLOGY. s. A register of martyrs. F. martyr, a martyiy and 
G. logos, a description. 

MARVELLOUS, adj. Wonderful. F. merveilleux .- merveille, wonder 1 
meriier, to deserve, and veiller, to notice. 

MASCULINE, adj. Relating- or belonging- to males, L. masculinus ; 
from mas, a male. 

MASSACRE, s. Extensive and indiscriminate slaughter ; cruel butch- 
ery of the unarmed or defenceless. F. massacre : L. macto, to kill 3 
and sacrum, a sacrifice. 

MASSIVE, or MASSY, adj. Bulky; ponderous. F. massif.- L. massa, 
a heap. 

MASTER, s. One who has a servant ; a ruler ; a director ; one who 
teaches, &c. F. maistre: L. magister : from major, (compar. of 
magnus,) greater. 

MATERIAL, adj. Consisting of matter ; corporeal, not spiritual $ Im- 
portant ; essential ; necessary. L. materialis. See MATTER. 

MATERIALIST, s. One who denies the existence of spiritual sub- 
stances. See MATERIAL. 

MATERIA MEDICA. A general name for all substances used in 
medicine ; a book which treats of these substances. L. materia, 
matter, and medica, (fem. of medicus,) pertaining to physic. 

MATERNAL, adj. Motherly ? pertaining to a mother. L. maternus : 
mater, a mother. G. mater, a mother. 

MATHEMATICS, s. That science which contemplates whatever can 
be numbered or measured. G. mathematike .• from mathema, in- 
struction ; manthano, to learn, 

MATIN, adj. Relating to the morning. F. matin, morning. 

MATINS, s. Morning worship. F. matines* See MATIN. 

MATRICE. 5. A mould ; an instrument used by engravers and letter- 
founders, on which is engraved a figure to be struck into the metal, 
or the letter to be cast. See MATRIX. 

MATRICIDE, s. Murder of a mother; one who murders a mother. L. 
matricidium ,• comp. of mater, a mother, and caedo, to kill. 

MATRICULATE, v. To admit as a member of a university ; to enrol. 
L. matrix, a womb, and latum, sup. of fero, to bring. A college is 
thus compared to a mother. 

MATRIMONY, s. Wedlock. L. matrimonium : from mater, a mother. 

MATRIX, s. The womb ; also, an instrument used in the formation of 
letters, &c. by engravers and type-founders. L. matrix .- G. mater, 
a mother. 

MATRON, s. An elderly lady ; a wife. L. matrona .- from mater, a 
mother. 

MATTER, s. Substance ; purulent discharge ; subject ; consequence ; 
importance. L. materia,- from mater,, a mother: G. mater. 

MATURE, adj. Ripe. L. maturus, mellow. 

MAUSOLEUM. 5. A splendid tomb. L. from Mausolus, king of Caria; 
for whom, a famous funeral monument was erected by his queen, and 
called The Mausoleum. 

MAUVAISE HONTE. Excessive bashfulness. F. mauvaise, eviL 
honte, shame, or confusion. 

MAXIM. 8. An axiom ; a general principle ; a leading truth. & 
maxime .- L. maximus, greatest* 



MAX— MEM 

MAXIMUM, s. The highest rate, opposed to minimum. L. maximum, 

(neuter of maximus,) the superl. of magnus, great: pos. magnua, 

great ; compar. major, greater ; superl. maximus, greatest. 
MAY. s. The fifth month. L. Maius ; from Maia, the mother of 

Mercury. 
MAYOR, s. The chief magistrate of a town. F. moire : L. major, 

greater. 
MEAGER, adj. Lean ; weak ; emaciated. F. maigre : L. macer .- 

G. mikros, small. 
MEANDER, v. To move in a serpentine course. Meander, a river in 

Phrygia, remarkable for its winding. 
MEASURE, s. Standard of measurement; degree, or quantity; means; 

musical time ; metre. F. mesure .• L. mensura : mensus, part, of 

metior, to measure : G. rnetreo. 
MECHANICS, s. The science of the power and construction of ma- 
chines. G. mechane, art. 
MEDAL, s. A piece of metal bearing a memorial of some meritorious 

or remarkable performance ; and intended as a present to the 

achiever. F. medaille : from the Saxon med, signifying reward. 
MEDALLION.*. Something resembling a medal. F. medaillon. See 

MEDAL. 
MEDIATE, v. To intercede. L. medius, middle ; — a mediator stands. 

between two persons. 
MEDIATELY, adv. By a secondary cause. See MEDIATE. 
MEDIATOR, s. An intercessor. See MEDIATE. 
MEDICAL, adj. Relating to the art of healing. L. medicus : G. me- 

deo, to govern. 
MEDIOCRITY, s. Middle rate. L. medioaitas : from medius, middle. 
MEDITATE, v. To contemplate. L. meditor : G. medeo, to govern, 

or take care of. 
MEDIUM, s. Any thing intervening ; a middle degree ; means. L. 

medium, the middle. 
MELANCHOLY, s. A disease, arising from a heavy state of the blood; 

a gloomy, pensive temper. G. melanos, gen. of melas, black, and 

chole, bile. 
MELIORATE, v. To improve ; to ameliorate. L. melior, better. 
MELLIFEROUS, adj. Producing honey. L. mellifer .- mel, honey, 

andfei-o, to bring. 
MELLIFLUOUS, adj. Sweetly flowing. L. mel, honey, and fiuo, to 

flow. 
MELLOW, adj. Pleasingly ripe ; soft. L. mel, honey. 
•MELODY, s. Sweetness of musical sound. G. melodia: from meli, 

honey, and ode, a song. Musical harmony relates to the agreement of 

sounds. 
MEMBRANE, s. A delicate web used in the human structure. L. 

membrana, a film. 
MEMENTO, v. Remember ; s. a memorial. L. memento, remember; 

imper. of the defective v. memini. 
MEMOIR, s. A familiarly written history. F. memoir e ; L. memoro, 

to remember. 
MEMORANDUM, s. A note to aid the memory. L. memorandum^ to 

be remembered ; part, of memoro, to remember, 



MEM— MET 

MEMORIAL. .?. A monument ; a remembrancer ; a written address, 

such as reminds of services and solicits a reward ; a remonstrance. 

Y. memorial: L. mernorialis : memoro, to remember. 
MEMORY. 5. The faculty of recollecting- things past ; recollection. L. 

memoria: from memoro, to remember. • 
MENACE, v. To threaten. F. menacer : G. menio, to be angrv. 
MENAGE, or MENAGERIE, s. A place for wild animals. F. from 

menager, to manage, or take care of. 
MENDACITY, s. Falsehood. L. mendax, lying. 
MENDICANT, adj. Begging. L. mendicans, part, of mendico, to beg. 
MENDICITY, s. The state of a beggar. See MENDICANT. 
MENIAL, adj. Belonging to the retinue or train of common or low 

servants 5 befitting a servant. See adj. MANUAL. 
MENS AL. adj. Relating to the table. L. mensalis : mensa, a table. 
MENSTRUAL, adj. Monthly; relating to a menstruum. F. menstrual: 

L. mensis, a month. 
MENSURATION, s. The science or act of measuring. L. mensura, 

a measure. See MEASURE. ^ 

MENTAL, adj. Intellectual. F. mentale : L. mentis, gen. of mens, 

the mind. 
MEPHITIC. adj. Ill-smelling ; noxious. L. mephitis, a bad smell. 
MERCANTILE, adj. Commercial. L. mercans, part, of mercor, to 

buy. 
MERCENARY, adj. Venal; hired; too studious of recompense. L. 

mercenarius : from merces, wages. 
MERCER, s. A dealer in cloths. F. mercier : L. mercor, to buy. 
MERCHANT, s. One who traffics. F. marchand: L. mercans : mercor, 

to purchase. 
MERETRICIOUS, adj. Alluring by false show. L. meretricius: from 

meretrix, a harlot. 
MERCURY, s. Quicksilver. L. Mercurius, called, in English, Mer- 
cury ; the most subtle of all the heathen gods. 
MERGE, v. To unite ; to be included. L. mergo, to immerse. 
MERIDIAN, s. The point of noon ; a geographical line drawn from 

north to south, and passing through all those places which have 

noon at the same time. F. meridien: L. meridies, noon; probably, 

from medius, middle, and dies, a day. 
MERIT, s. Desert. L. meritum : from mereo, to earn. 
MERMAID, s. An animal resembling the human form, said to exist in 

the sea. F. mer, the sea, and maid. 
MERSION. s. The act of sinking or plunging below the surface. L. 

mersio : from mersum, sup. of mergo, to plunge. 
MESSAGE, s. An errand ; any thing committed to another, to be told 

to a third. F. message: L. missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MESSIEURS, s. Sirs ; gentlemen. F. plural of monsieur, sir. 
MESSUAGE, s. (Pronounced mess-wage.) In law, the house and 

ground set apart for domestic uses ; also a garden, shop, mill, &,c. 

Law L. messuagium : supposed to be derived from mansio. See 

MANSION. 
METALLURGY, s. The art of working or preparing metals, L. mt- 

tallum, metal, and G. ergon, work. 



MET— MIL 

METAMORPHOSE, v. To change the form. G. metamorphob : comp, 
of meta, against, and morphe, form. 

METAPHOR, s. A similitude ; a simile, usually comprised in one 
word. G. metaphora : meta, signifying- from one place, or thing, to 
another, and phoreo, to carry. 

METAPHRASE, s. A strict, verbal translation. G. metaphrasis : meta, 
signifying from one place, or thing, to another, and phrasis, a 
phrase. 

METAPHYSICS, s. That part of philosophy which considers the na- 
ture and properties of thinking beings, &c. G. metaphusike • from 
meta, through, and phusis, nature. 

METASTASIS, s. Translation or removal. G. metastasis .- from meta t 
across or opposite to, and stasis, a situation. 

METE. v. To measure. L. metior : G. metreo, to measure. 

METEMPSYCHOSIS, s. Transmigration of the soul from one body 
to another. G. metempsuchosis : from meta, from one place to an- 
other, and psuche, the soul 

METEOR, s. A transitory body passing through the air. G. meteora : 
from meta, from one place to another, and aeiro, to raise. 

METEOROLOGICAL, adj. Relating to the doctrine of meteors ; and 
to the changes of weather. Meteor, and G. logos, a description. 

METHOD, s. The placing of several things, or performing several 
operations, in the most convenient manner ; mode, or manner. G. 
methodos : meta, with, and odos, a way. 

METONYMY, s. A rhetorical figure, founded on the several relations 
of cause and effect, container and contained, sign and thing signi- 
fied: as, when we say, "he is reading Locke, " the cause is put for 
the effect ; meaning "the works of Locke." G. metonumia: meta, 
against, and onoma, a name. 

METRE, s. Language confined to a certain number, and harmonic 
disposition, of syllables ; verse. G. metron, a measure. 

METROPOLIS, s. A chief city. L. metropolis : G. meter, a mother, 
and polis, a city. 

METROPOLITAN. s. An archbishop. G. from metropolis : supposing 
that the chief city was the principal see. 

METJM AND TTJUM. Mine and yours: — a technical expression, 
used to mark the distinction of property, as belonging to one per- 
son or another. L. 

MIASMA, s. Contagious effluvia, arising from distempered or poison- 
ous bodies. G. miasma : from miaino, to infect. 

MICROCOSM, s. The little world. Man is so called, from a fanciful 
analogy to the world itself. G, mikros, little, and kosmos, the 
world. 

MICROMETER, s. An instrument for measuring small spaces. G. 
mikros, cavill, and metreo, to measure. 

MICROSCOPE, s. An instrument for viewing small objects. G. mikros, 
small, and skopeo, to view. 

MIGRATE, v. To remove to another country. L. migro, to shift the 
habitation. 

MILE. s. The Roman mile was called mille passus, a thousand paces 
or steps, each about five feet ; hence, the English r/u7e, though it 
contains 1760 yards. 



>W; 



II 



MIL— MR « 

MILIARY, adj. In medical language, means small, resembling a millet- 
seed : a miliary fever produces small eruptions. F. miliaire : L. 
milium, a millet-seed. 

MILITANT, adj. Fighting ; engaged in spiritual warfare. L. militans, 
part, of milito, to go a fighting: from miles, a soldier. 

MILITARY, adj. Belonging to the profession of a soldier ; relating to 
war. L. militaris i from miles, a soldier. 

MILITIA, s, Citizens and peasantry trained for national defence. L> 
militia, soldiery ; from miles, a soldier. 

MILLE. s. In the federal arithmetic of the United States of America, 
a mille is the thousandth part of a dollar. F. mille : L. milky a thou- 
sand. 

MILLENNIUM, s. A thousand years ; a certain period of time antici- 
pated by some Christians. L. mille, a thousand, and annus, a year. 

MIMIC, s. A ludicrous, or servile imitator. L. mimieus : G. mimos, 
an imitator. 

MINATORY, adj. Threatening. L. minor, to threaten. 

MINERALOGY, s. The science of minerals:, comp. of the Eng. mi- 
neral, and G. logos, a description. 

MINIATURE, s. A representation in a small compass. F. miniature. 
This word, in accordance with the size of the painting, &c.,,appears to 
come from the L. minuo, to lessen ; but, in relation to its orthogra- 
phy, and to the mode of execution, the French word may have been 
derived from miniatus, part, of the L. minio, to colour with ver- 
milion. 

MINIMUM, s. The lowest rate; opposed to maximum. L. minimum, 
(neuter of minimus,) the superl. of parvus, little ; compar. minor 9 
less ; superl. minimus, least. 

MINION, s. A court-favourite ; a mean dependant. F. mignon, a 
darling. 

MINISTER, s. An agent ; one who acts under another ; a clergyman, 
or high civil officer. L. minister, a servant, or assistant: minor, less. 

MINISTER, v. To attend ; to manage ; to perform ; to supply. L. 
ministro. See the noun. 

MINOR, adj. Petty ; less ; smaller. L. minor, less. 

MINOR, s. One under the age when he can lawfully manage his own 
affairs. L. minor, less, or younger. 

MINOTAUR, s. A monster imagined by the poets, half man and half 
bull. L. Minotaurus .- from Minos, a king of Crete, and taurus, a 
bull. See Ovid's Metamorphoses. 

MINUS, s. Less ; insufficient ; in electricity, opposed to plus. L. 
minus, less. 

MINUTE', adj. Small ; precise. L. minutus, diminished ; from mi- 
nuo, to lessen. 

MIN'UTE. s. The sixtieth part of an hour. L. minutus. See MI- 
NUTE'. 

MIN'UTE. v. To record briefly. See MINUTE'. 

MINUTLE, s. Minute parts ; trifles. L. pi. of minutia : minutus, p. 
part, of minuo, to make less ; minor, less. ,; 

MIRACLE, s. A wonder ; something above human power. F. mira- 
cle : L. miraculum : from miror, to wonder. 

MIRROR, s. A looking glass. F. miroir ; L. miror, to admire. 



MIS— MOI 

MISANTHROPE, s. One disgusted with mankind. " G. misanthropes . 

miseo, to hate, and anthropos, a man. 
MISCELLANEOUS, adj. Various, L. miscellaneus : from misceo, to 

mix. 
MISCIBLE. adj. Possible to be mingled. L. misceo, to mix. 
MISER. 5. Originally, signified a wretched or unhappy person, in ge- 
neral ; but now, means one who is extremely covetous of money, 

and wretched from the fear of poverty. L. miser, wretched. 
MISERABLE, adj. Wretched. F. miserable. See MISER. 
MISNOMER, s. In law, signifies a wrong name. F. from mis, denot- 
ing error, and nom, a name. 
MISOGAMIST. s. A marriage-hater. G. miseo, to hate, and gamos, 

marriage. 
MISPRISION, s. In law, signifies neglect, negligence, or oversight. 

Old F. mespriser, to disdain ; or mesprendre, to mistake. 
MISSILE, adj. Thrown; designed to be thrown. L. missilis ; from 

missus, p. part, oi'milto, to send. 
MISSION, s. Commission > the office of persons commissioned or em- 
ployed. L. missio ,- from missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MITIGATE, v. To assuage ; to soften. L. mitigo ,• from mitis, meek. 
MITRE, s. A bishop's crown. L. mitra, a bonnet, or turban. 
MITTIMUS, s. A magistrate's order for imprisonment. L. mittimus, 

we send ; being the first word in the old Latin writs. 
MTXTILINEAR. s. Consisting of a line, or lines, partly straight and 

partly curved. L. mixtus, mixed, and linealis. See LINEAL. 
MNEMONICS. *. The science of artificial memory. G. mnemonikes, 

relating to the men;ory: mnaomai, to remember. 
MOBILITY, s. Capacity of being moved ; activity ; in cant language, 

the populace. F. mobiliU : L. mobilitas : moveo, to move. 
MOCK. v. To imitate in an ill-natured and vidgar manner ; to laugh 

at ; to tantalize ; to defeat. F. moouer .■ G. mokao, x.o laugh at. 
MODE. s. Manner; method; form; fashion. F. mode: L. modus, a 

due proportion, method, manner. 
MODEL, s. A pattern. F. modele: L. modulus, a little measure. 

See MODE. 
MODERATE, adj. Not excessive ; temperate ; middling. L. mode- 

ratus. See MODE. 
MODERN, adj. According to the present mode .• in conformity with 

the present mode .• recent; not ancient. F. moderne. Se:: MODE. 
MODEST, s. Having a proper deportment. ; not impudent ; chaste. 

F. modeste: L. modestus : modus, a measure, a due proportion. 
MODIFY, v. To shape, so as to fit or conform to another thing ; to 

qualify. F. modifier : L. modus, a manner, and facio, to make. See 

MODE. 
MODULATE, v. To form sound to a certain key, or to certain notes. 

L. modulor : from modulus, a measure: modus, a rule. 
MODUS, s. A due proportion, neither more nor less ; measure; limits; 

rule. L. 
MODUS OPERANDI. The method or manner of operating. L. 

modus, a method, operandi, (gerund, ofoperor,) of working. 
MOIETY, s. Half. F. moitie : from moyen, the middle. 



MIL— MIR « 

MILIARY, adj. In medical language, means small, resembling a millet- 
seed : a miliary fever produces small eruptions. F. miliaire : L. 
milium, a millet-seed. 

MILITANT, adj. Fighting ; engaged in spiritual warfare. L. militans, 
part, of milito, to go a fighting: from miles, a. soldier. 

MILITARY, adj. Belonging to the profession of a soldier ; relating to 
war. L. militaris .« from miles, a soldier. 

MILITIA, s. Citizens and peasantry trained for national defence. L. 
militia, soldiery ; from miles, a soldier. 

MILLE. *, In the federal arithmetic of the United States of America, 
a mille is the thousandth part of a dollar. F. mille : L. mille, a thou- 
sand. 

MILLENNIUM, s. A thousand years ; a certain period of time antici- 
pated by some Christians. L. mille, a thousand, and annus, a year. 

MIMIC, s. A ludicrous, or servile imitator. L. mimicus : G. mimos, 
an imitator. 

MINATORY, adj. Threatening. L. minor, to threaten. 

MINERALOGY, s. The science of minerals: comp. of the Eng. mi- 
neral, and G. logos, a description. 

MINIATURE, s. A representation in a small compass. F. miniature. 
This word, in accordance with the size of the painting, &.c.,.appears to 
come from the L. minuo, to lessen ; but, in relation to its orthogra- 
phy, and to the mode of execution, the French word may have been 
derived from miniatus, part, of the L. minid, to colour with ver- 
milion. 

MINIMUM, s. The lowest rate; opposed to maximum. L. minimum, 
(neuter of minimus, ) the superl. of parvus, little ; compar. minor, 
less ; superl. minimus, least. 

MINION, s. A court-favourite ; a mean dependant. F. mignon, a 
darling. 

MINISTER, s. An agent ; one who acts under another ; a clergyman, 
or high civil officer. L. minister, a servant, or assistant: minor, less. 

MINISTER, v. To attend 5 to manage; to perform; to supply. L 
ministro. See the noun. 

MINOR, adj. Petty ; less ; smaller. L. minor, less. 

MINOR, s. One under the age when he can lawfully manage his own 
affairs. L. minor, less, or younger. 

MINOTAUR, s. A monster imagined by the poets, half man and half 
bull. L. Minotaurus .• from Minos, a king of Crete, and taurus, a 
bull. See Ovid's Metamorphoses. 

MINUS, s. Less ; insufficient ; in electricity, opposed to plus. L. 
minus, less. 

MINUTE', adj. Small ; precise. L. minutus, diminished ; from mi- 
nuo, to lessen. 

MIN'UTE. s. The sixtieth part of an hour. L. minutus. See MI- 
NUTE'. 

MIN'UTE. v. To record briefly. See MINUTE'. 

MINUTIAE, s. Minute parts ; trifles. L. pi. of minutia : minutus, p. 
part, of minuo, to make less : minor, less. 

MIRACLE, s. A wonder; something above human power. F. mira- 
cle : L. miraculum .- from miror, to wonder. 

MIRROR, s. A looking glass. F. miroir : L. miror, to admire. 



MIS— MOI 

MISANTHROPE, s. One disgusted with mankind. ' G. misanthropos i 

rniseo, to hate, and anthropos, a man. 
MISCELLANEOUS, adj. Various. L» miscellaneus : from misceo, to 

mix. 
MISCIBLE. adj. Possible to be mingled. L. misceo, to mix. 
MISER, s. Originally, signified a wretched or unhappy person, in ge- 
neral 5 but now, means one who is extremely covetous of money, 

and wretched from the fear of poverty. L. miser, wretched. 
MISERABLE, adj. Wretched. F. miserable. See MISER. 
MISNOMER, s. In law, signifies a wrong name. F. from mis, denot- 
ing error, and nom, a name. 
MISOGAMIST. 5. A marriage-hater. G. miseo, to hate, and gamos, 

marriage. 
MISPRISION, s. In law, signifies neglect, negligence, or oversight. 

Old F. mespriser, to disdain ; or mesprendre, to mistake. 
MISSILE, adj. Thrown; designed to be thrown. L. missilis ; from 

missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MISSION, s. Commission - y the office of persons commissioned or em- 
ployed. L. missio ; from missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MITIGATE, v. To assuage ; to soften. L. mitigo ; from mitis, meek. 
MITRE, s, A bishop's crown. L. mitra, a bonnet, or turban. 
MITTIMUS, s. A magistrate's order for imprisonment. L. mittimus, 

we send ; being the first word in the old Latin writs. 
MTXTILINEAR. s. Consisting of a line, or lines, partly straight and 

partly curved. L. mixtus, mixed, and linealis. See LINEAL. 
MNEMONICS, s. The science of artificial memory. G. mnemonikes, 

relating to the memory: mnaomai, to remember. 
MOBILITY, s. Capacity of being moved ; activity ; in cant language, 

the populace. F. mobiliU .• L. mobilitas : moveo, to move. 
MOCK. v. To imitate in an ill-natured and vulgar manner ; to laugh 

at ; to tantalize ; to defeat. F. moquer .• G. mokao, to laugh at. 
MODE. s. Manner 5 method ; form ; fashion. F. mode : L. modus, a 

due proportion, method, manner. 
MODEL, s. A pattern. F. modeie: L. modulus, a little measure. 

See MODE. 
MODERATE, adj. Not excessive ; temperate ; middling. L. mode- 

ratus. See MODE. 
MODERN, adj. According to the present mode .• in conformity with 

the present mode : recent; not ancient. F. moderne. Se_: MODE. 
MODEST, s. Having a proper deportment ; not impudent ; chaste. 

F. modeste: L. modestus : modus, a measure, a due proportion. 
MODIFY, v. To shape, so as to fit or conform to another thing ; to 

qualify. F. modifier : L. modus, a manner, and facio, to make. See 

MODE. 
MODULATE, v. To form sound to a certain key, or to certain notes. 

L. modulor : from modulus, a measure: modus, a rule. 
MODUS, s. A due proportion, neither more nor less ; measure; limits; 

rule. L. 
MODUS OPERANDI. The method or manner of operating. L. 

modus, a method, operandi, (gerund, of operor,) of working. 
MOIETY, s. Half. F. moitie : from moyen, the middle. 



MOL— MOR 

MOLE'CULE. s. The molecules of bodies are those ultimate particles 
which cannot be decomposed by any chemical means. F. molecule* 
a dimin. formation, from the L. moles, a mass. 

MOLEST, v. To disturb, or vex. F. molester.- L. molestia, trouble: 
moles, a mass, or heap. 

MOLLIENT. adj. Softening. L. molliens, part, of molllo, to soften. 

MOLLIFY, v. To soften. L. mollis, soft, and^o, to be made. 

MOMENT, s. Force ; importance ; consequence ; indivisible particle 
of time. L. momentum : moveo, to move. 

MOMENTOUS, adj. Important 5 of consequence. L. momentosus. 
See MOMENT. 

MONACHISM. s. State of a monk. F. See MONK. 

MONANDRIA. s. A genus of plants, distinguished by one male sta- 
mina. G. monos, single, and andria, virility. 

MONARCH, s. An emperor, or a king. G. monarchos : from monos, 
alone, and arche, government. 

MONASTERY, s. A habitation for monks. L. monasterium : G. mo- 
nos, alone. 

MONITION, s. Advice. L. monitio : from moneo, to advise. G. monos, 
alone, — that is, in private. 

MONITOR, s. One who gives advice ; a scholar appointed to watch 
over his fellows. L. monitor : from moneo, to advise. 

MONK. s. A man secluded in a monastery. Derived, through the 
Saxon, from the G. monachos, solitary ; monos, alone. 

MONODY, s. A poem in which only one person is introduced as 
speaking. G. monos, alone, and ode, a song. 

MONOGAMY, s. Marriage of one wife ; opposed to polygamy. G. me- 
nos, one, and gameo, t© marry. 

MONOLOGUE, s. A soliloquy. G. monos, alone, and logos, a word, 
or speech. 

MONOPOLIZE, v. To engross. G. monos, alone, and poleo, to sell. 

MONOPTOTE. s. A noun used only in one oblique case. G. monos, 
one, and ptosis, a case. 

MONOSYLLABLE, s. A word of one syllable. G. monos, one, and 
syllable. 

MONOTONY, s. Disagreeable repetition of the same sound. G. mo- 
notonia ; monos, one, and tonos, a tone or note. 

MONSTER, s. The primary meaning of this word was, something omi- 
nous ; something which was supposed to show or foretel 5 as, an 
eclipse of the sun, a comet, or an unusual colour of the moon: but, 
the word Monster now denotes something formed contrary to the 
general rules of nature, or any thing extremely large. F. monstre ? 
L. monstrum : monstro, to show. 

MONUMENT, s. Any thing by which the memory of persons or things 
is preserved. L. monumentum ; from moneo, to bring to remem- 
brance. 

MOOD, or MODE. s. Manner ; a term of logic and of grammar. See 
MODE. 

MORAL, adj. Relating to human conduct ; proper ; honest. L. mo* 
ralis : from moris, gen. of mos, a manner. 

MORBID. adj< Diseased; sickly. L. morbidus: from morbus, a 
disease. 



MOR— MUX 

MORBIFIC, adj. Causing disease. F. morb'ifique: L. morbus, a dis-. 
ease, and facio, to make. 

MORDAXT. s. A substance, such as alum, or iron, which has a chem- 
ical affinity for another substance ; and with which cloth or yarn 
is prepared before dyeing. F. mordant ,• sharp, acrid ; from mordre, 
to bite: L. mordeo. 

MOROSE, adj. Peevish ; sullen. L. morosus ; from mordeo, to bite. 

MORSEL, s. A mouthful ; a piece ; a meal. L. morsus ,• from the p. 
part, of morden, to bite. 

MORTAL, adj. Subject to death ; causing death. L. mortalis; from 
mors, death. 

MORTGAGE, s. Security on lands, &c, by the terms of which, the 
land pledged for the repayment of money borrowed, is, in law, in 
case of non-payment at the time limited, for ever dead and gone 
from the mortgagor. F. mart, dead, and gage, a pledge. 

MORTIFY, v. To destroy the vital principle"; to subdue inordinate 
passions ; to vex. F. mortifier: L. mors, death, and facio, to make, 
or cause. 

MORTMAIX. s. Such a state of possession as makes it unalienable ; 
whence, it is said to be in a dead hand. F. morte, dead, and main, 
a hand. 

MOTIVE, s. That which incites. L. motivus ,- moto, to move. 

MUCILAGE, s. A slimy or gummy substance. F. mucilage. See 
MUCUS. 

MUCILAGIXOUS. adj. Having the quality of mucilage. From muci- 
lage, and the L. genus, a sort. 

MUCOUS, adj. Viscous ; slimy. See MUCUS. 

MUCULENT. adj. Viscous ; slimy. See MUCUS. 

MUCUS, s. That which issues from the nose ; a viscous fluid. L. 

MULCT, v. To punish by fine. L. mulcto, to fine. 

MULCTUARY. adj. Imposing a fine. See MULCT. 

MULTIFARIOUS, adj. Having great diversity; various. L. multifer; 
comp. of mult 'us, many, and/ero, to bear. 

MULTIFORM, adj. Having various forms. L. multiformis; from 
multus, many, and forma, a shape. 

MULTILATERAL, adj. Having many sides. L. from multus, many, 
and lotus, a side. 

MULTIPAROUS. adj. Producing many at a birth. L. multiparus ; 
from multus, many, and pario, to bring forth young. 

MULT1PEDE. s. An insect with many feet. L. multipeda; from 
multus, many, and pedes, pi. of pes, a foot. 

MULTIPLY, v. To increase ; to find the product of arithmetical fac- 
tors. L. nviltiplico ,• from multus, many, arid plico, to fold. 

MULTITUDE, s. A great number; the vulgar. L. multitudo ; multus, 
many. 

MULTUM IN PJ1RV0. Much in little space. L. multum, neuter 
of multus*. much, in, in, parvo, abl. of parvus, little. 

MUXDAXE. adj. Belonging to the world. L. mundanus; from mun- 
dus, the world. 

MUNICIPAL, adj. Belonging or relating to a corporation. L. muni- 
cipalis ; from municipium, a privileged city, — munus, a gift, and 
capio, to hold. 
N 



MUN— NAT 

MUNIFICENCE, s. Splendid liberality. L. munificentia ,• from mu- 
nus, a gift, and facio, to make. 

MUNITION, s. Ammunition ; materials for war. L. munitio ; from 
munio, to strengthen. 

MURAL, adj. Pertaining- to a wall. L. rnuralis ,- from murus, a wall. 

MURIATES, s. Salts formed by the combination of any base with mu- 
riatic acid. See MURIATIC. 

MURIATIC, adj. Having a chemical basis of salt. L. muria, salt 
water. 

MUSEUM, s. A repository of curiosities. L. museum: G. mouseion, 
a place dedicated to the Muses: from mousa, a Muse. 

MUSIC s. Instrumental or vocal harmony. L. musiea : G. mousike / 
from mousa, a Muse. 

MUTABLE, adj. Changeable ; inconstant. L. mutabilis ; from muto, 
to ohange. 

MUTATIS MUTANDIS. After making the necessary changes: (in- 
flections of the L. muto, to change. ) 

MUTE. adj. Silent. L. mutus : G. muttos ,• from muo, to shut. 

MUTILATE, v. To deprive of some essential part. L. mutilo; muto, 
to change, or transform. 

MUTINY, v. To form a plan of insurrection ; to rise against authority. 
F. mutiner .• L. mutus, silent; because mutinies are organized in 
silence. See MUTE. 

MUTTON, s. The flesh of a sheep. F. mouton, a sheep. 

MUTUAL, adj. Reciprocal. L. mutuus ,- from muto, to exchange. 

MYRIAD, s. Ten thousand ; a vast number. G. murias, ten-thousand. 

MYRMIDON, s. A ruffian ; a mercenary bravo. G. murmedon,- from 
the Myrmidones, a people who followed Achilles to the Trojan war. 

MYSTERY, s. Something shut or hidden from the knowledge of the 
people, and known only by the ancient priests ; something beyond 
human comprehension. L. mysterium : G. musterion ,• muo, to shut. 

MYSTIC, or MYSTICAL, adj. Sacredly obscure, as distinguished 
from mysterious, which applies to common obscurities ; secret ; em- 
blematical. L. mysticus. See MYSTERY. 

MYTHOLOGY, s. System of fables ;■ explication of the fabulous his- 
tory of heathen gods. F. mythologie .- G. muthos, a fable, (from 
muo, to shut,) and logos, a description. 

N. 

NARCOTIC, adj. Promoting sleep. G. narho-o, to stupify. 
NARRATE, v. To relate. L. narro, to telL 
NASAL, adj. Relating to the nose. L. nasus? the nose. 
NASCENT, adj. Rising into existence. L. nascens, part, of nascor, 

to be born. 
NATAL, adj. Native ; relating to nativity. L. natalis ,- from natus, 

part, of nascor, to be born. 
NATION, s. A people, distinguished from another people, by place of 

birth, &c. F. nation : L. natio. See NATAL. 
NATIVE, adj. Produced by nature ; natural ; relating to the place of 

birth, or production: s. one born in a particular countrv. L. nativus. 

See NATAL. 



NAT— NEU 

NATURE, s. The native state or properties of any thing ; an imagi- 
nary being", supposed to preside over the material and animal world. 

L. natura ; from natus, part, ofnascor, to be born. 
NAUSEOUS, adj. Loathsome. L. nauseosus: G. nausia, sea-sickness; . 

from naus, a ship. 
NAUTICAL, adj. Relating to sailors ; naval. G. nautikos ,- from naus, 

a ship. 
NAVAL, adj. Relating to ships ; pertaining to a navy. L. navalis. 

See NAVY. 
NAVIGATE, v. To pass by water ; to steer. L. riavigo ; from navig, 

a ship, and ago, to move. 
NAVY, s.- A national fleet. L. navis, a ship. G. naus,- from nao, to 

glide. 
NEBULOUS, adj. Cloudy ; misty. L. nebulosue .- G. nephos, a cloud. 
NECESSARY, adj. Needful; essential. L. necessarius ,- from we, not, 

and cessum, sup. of cedo, to depart, or resign. 
NECROMANCER, s. One who pretends to converse with the dead; 

a conjurer. G. nekros, dead, and mantis, a prophet. 
NECTAR, s. A delightful drink. G. nektar, the fabled beverage of 

the gods. 
NEFARIOUS, adj. Highly criminal; abominable. L. nefarius ; from 

nefas, a wicked action: which is from ne, not, and/as, right. 
NEGATIVE, adj. Not affirmative ; not positive. L. negativus; from 

nego, to deny: ne, not, and ago, to do. 
NEGLECT, v. To omit by heedlessness ; to slight. L. neglectum, 

sup. ofnegligo: nee, not, and lego, to choose. 
NEGLIGE' E. s. A sort of gown, worn as an undress. F. ntgligi t 

part, of negllger, to neglect. 
NEGLIGENCE, s. Habit of neglect ; carelessness. F. negligence. 

See NEGLECT. 
NEGOTIATE, v. To traffic ; to treat. L. negotium, time of business 5 

comp. of nee, not, and otium, leisure. 
NEGRO, s. A black man. Spanish, negro : L. niger, black. 
NEM. CON. An abbreviation of nemine contradicente ,• " no person 

opposing or disagreeing." L. nemo, no one, and contradico, to 

speak against. 
NEM. DISS. An abbreviation of nemine dissentiente, and expressing 

the same meaning as nem. con. L. nemo, no one, and dissentio t to 

disagree in opinion. 
NEPHRITIC, adj. Belonging to the organs of urine ; troubled with 

the stone ; remedial against the stone. G. nephritikos ; from ne- 

phros, a rein or kidney. 
NEPHROTOMY, s. The operation of opening the kidneys ; the ope- 
ration of cutting for the stone. G. nephros, a kidney, and temno, to 

cut. 
NE PLUS ULTRA. Utmost degree. L. ne, not, plus, more, ultra, 

beyond. 
NEPOTISM, s. Fondness for nephews. F. nepotisme: L. nepos t a 

nephew. 
NEUROLOGY, s. Description of the nerves. G. neuron, a nerve, and 

logos, a description. 



NEU—NON 

NEUROTOMY. s. The anatomy of the nerves. G. neuron, a nerve, 

and temno, to cut. 
NEUTER, adj. Neutral ; indifferent ; neither masculine nor feminine. 

L. neuter, neither. 
NEUTRAL, adj. Indifferent ; not concerned in a war between other 

states ; chemically inactive. L. neutralis. See NEUTER. 
NIGRESCENT, adj. Growing- black. L. nigrescens ,- part, ofnigrescos 

niger, black. 
NISI-PEIUS. In England, a judicial writ, by which a sheriff is to 

assemble a jury at Westminster Hall, on a certain day; unless, before 

that day, the king's judges go into the sheriff's county, to determine 

causes. This intention may now be considered as a mere fiction. 

L. nisi, unless, prius, before. 
NITROGEN, s. The principle of nitre ; the chief ingredient of atmo- 
spheric air. L. niirum, nitre, and G. gennao, to generate. 
NOBLE, adj. Of an ancient and illustrious family ; great ; worthy ; 

exalted. F. noble: L. nobilis ,- from nolus, (part, of nosco,) known. 
NOCTURNAL, adj. In the night. L. nociurnus ,- from nox, night. 
NOLENS VOLENS. Willing- or unwilling. L. nokns, (part, of 

nolo,) unwilling; and volens, (part, of volo,) willing: the conjunction, 

signifying or, is understood, and the order of the Latin is inverted 

in the English translation. 
NOLLE PROSEQUI. To be unwilling to proceed ; a form used in 

law, when the plaintiff declines proceeding further ; or when the 

Attorney-general wishes to withdraw a prosecution. L. nolle, to be 

unwilling, prosequi, to proceed, or prosecute: from nolo, and pro- 

sequor. 
NOMENCLATURE, s. Mode of giving names ; a vocabulary. L. 

nomenclature .- ncmen, a name. 
NOMINAL, adj. Referring to names, rather than things ; titular ; not 

real. L. nominalis ,- from nomen, a name.' 
NOMINATE, v. To appoint by name. L. nomino, from nomen, a 

name. 
NOMINATIVE, s. First case in grammar. L. nominativus ; from no- 
men, a name ; because it primarily displays the original word, or 

name of any thing. 
NONAGE, s. Minority of years. L. non, not, and age. 
NON ASSUMPSIT. He did not assume, or undertake ; a plea, in 

law, opposed to assumpsit. L. 
NONCHALANCE, s. Carelessness ; supineness ; indifference. F. 
NON COMPOS MENTIS. Not of sound mind ; a phrase opposed 

to compos mentis. L. 
NONCONDUCTOR, s. In philosophy, that which does not conduct 

the electric fluid, heat, sound, &c. L. non, not, and conductor. 
NONCONFORMIST, s. A dissenter. L. non, not, and conform. 
NONENTITY, s. A creature of the imagination. L. non, not, and ens, 

a being. 
NONES, s. Certain days of the Roman Kalendar, — the 7th day of 

March, May, July, and October, and the 5th of the remaining 

months. L. nonse. 
NON EST INVENTUS. In law, signifies, "he has not been 

found:" the phrase is familiarly used to denote a sudden disappear- 



NON— NUD 

ance, or concealment. L. est, he is, non, not, inventus, found: (wn, 
sum, and inventor. ) 

NONEXISTENCE, s. Negation of existence ; a thing not existing. 
L. non, not, and existence. 

NONJUROR, s. One who refuses to swear allegiance. L. non, not, 
and juro, to swear. 

NONPAREIL, s. That which cannot be matched; excellence un- 
equaled. F. non, not, and pareil, a match : L. non, and par. 

NONPLUS, s. Inability to proceed ; a low word. L. non, not, and 
phis, more. 

NONSUIT, v. To deprive of the benefit of a legal process, in conse- 
quence of some failure in the management. L. non, not, and suit. 

NOSOLOGY, s. Doctrine of diseases. G. nosos, a disease, and logos, 
a description. 

NOTA BENE, or N. B. " Observe this particularly.'* N. B. is 
often used instead of P. S. or postscript ; but a careful writer will 
avoid this impropriety. L. nota, (imper. of noto,) mark, bene, well. 

NOTABLE, adj. Remarkable. — (vulgarly, careful.) L. notabilis,- from 
noto, to mark. 

NOTARY, s. An official recorder. L. notarius; from noto, to mark. 

NOTATION, s. The art of recording or describing by scientific marks, 
as in arithmetic and music. L. notatio ; from noto, to mark. 

NOTE. v. To observe ; to record. L. noto, to mark. 

NOTIFY, v. To make known. L. notijico ; comp. of notus, known,' 
(p. part, of nosco,) and facio, to make. 

NOTION, s. Idea ; conception of the mind ; sentiment ; opinion. F. 
notion; from the L. notus, part, of nosco, to know. 

NOTORIOUS, adj. Extensively known, (used mostly in relation to a 
bad action. ) L. notorius ; from noto, to mark. 

NOURISH, v. To support by food; to promote growth or strength; 
to encourage ; to foment. F. nourrir : L. nutrio, to nurse. 

NOVEL, adj. New and uncommon. L. novellas, dim. ofnovus, new. 

NOVEMBER, s. The eleventh month, formerly the ninth, when the 
year began in March. L. novembris ,- novem, nine. 

NOVICE, s. An inexperienced person ; one who has entered a con- 
vent, but has not yet taken the vow. F. novice : L. novus, new. 

NOVITIATE, s. The state of a novice ; the time in which the rudi- 
ments are learned ; the time spent in a religious house, by way of 
trial, before the vow is made. F. noviciat : L. novitius, newly made. 
See NOVICE. 

NOVUS HOMO. A term used to denote a man recently emerged 
from obscurity, or from a state of comparative indigence. L. novus t 
new, and homo, a man. 

NOXIOUS, adj. Hurtful. L. noxius ,- from noceo, to hurt. 

NUCIFEROUS, adj. Nut-bearing. L. nucis, gen. of nux, a nut, and 
few, to bear. 

NUCLEUS, s. A kernel ; something about which matter is collected. 
L. nucleus, a kernel. 

NUDE. s. A female who exposes her person by the lightness or scan- 
tiness of her dress. L. nudus, naked. 

NUDITY, s. Nakedness. F. nudite : L. nudus, naked. 
N2 



NEU— NON 

NEUROTOMY, s. The anatomy of the nerves. G. neuron, a nerve, 

and temno, to cut. 
NEUTER, adj. Neutral 5 indifferent ; neither masculine nor feminine, 

L. neuter, neither. 
NEUTRAL, adj. Indifferent ; not concerned in a war between other 

states ; chemically inactive. L. neutralis. See NEUTER. 
NIGRESCENT, adj. Growing black. L. nigrescens; part, of nigresco; 

niger, black. 
NISI-PRIUS. In England, a judicial writ, by which a sheriff is to 

assemble a jury at Westminster Hall, on a certain da)^ unless, before 

that day, the king's judges go into the sheriff's county, to determine 

causes. This intention -may now be considered as a mere fiction. 

L. nisi, unless, prius, before. 
NITROGEN, s. The principle of nitre ; the chief ingredient of atmo- 
spheric air. L. nitrum, nitre, and G. gennao, to generate. 
NOBLE, adj. Of an ancient and illustrious family ; great ; worthy ; 

exalted. F. noble: L. nobills ,• from notus, (part, ofnosco,) known. 
NOCTURNAL, adj. In the night. L. noctumus ; from nox, night. 
NOLENS VOLENS. Willing or unwilling. L. nolens, (part, of 

nolo,) unwilling; and volens, (part, ofvolo,) willing: the conjunction, 

signifying or, is understood, and the order of the Latin is inverted 

in the English translation. 
NOLLE PROSEQUI. To be unwilling to proceed ; a form used in 

law, when the plaintiff declines proceeding further ; or when the 

Attorney-general wishes to withdraw a prosecution. L. nolle, to be 

unwilling, prosequi, to proceed, or prosecute: from nolo, and pro- 

sequor. 
NOMENCLATURE, s. Mode of giving names ; a vocabulary. L. 

nomenclature, : nomen, a name. 
NOMINAL, adj. Referring to names, rather than things ; titular ; not 

real. L. nomznalis ,• from nomen, a name." 
NOMINATE, v. To appoint by name. L. nomino, from nomen, a 

name. 
NOMINATIVE, s. First case in grammar. L. nominativus ; from no- 
men, a name ; because it primarily displays the original word, or 

name of any thing. 
NONAGE, s. Minority of years. L. non, not, and age. 
NON ASSUMPSIT. He did not assume, or undertake ; a plea, in 

law, opposed to assumpsit. L. 
NONCHALANCE, s. Carelessness ; supineness ; indifference. F. 
NON COMPOS MENTIS. Not of sound mind ; a phrase opposed 

to compos mentis. L. 
NONCONDUCTOR, s. In philosophy, that which does not conduct 

the electric fluid, heat, sound, &c. L. non, not, and conductor. 
NONCONFORMIST, s. A dissenter. L. non, not, and conform. 
NONENTITY, s. A creature of the imagination. L. non, not, and ens, 

a being. 
NONES. $. Certain days of the Roman Kalendar, — the 7th day of 

March, May, July, and October, and the 5th of the remaining 

months. L. nonse. 
NON EST INVENTUS. In law, signifies, "he has not been 

found:" the phrase is familiarly used to denote a sudden disappear- 



NON— NUD 

ance, or concealment. L. est, he is, -non, not, inventus, found: (njm, 
sum, and invenior.) 

NONEXISTENCE, s. Negation of existence ; a thing not existing. 
L. non, not, and existence. 

NONJUROR, s. One who refuses to swear allegiance. L. non, not^ 
and juro, to swear. 

NONPAREIL, s. That which cannot be matched ; excellence un- 
equaled. F. non, not, and pareil, a match : L. non, and par. 

NONPLUS, s. Inability to proceed ; a low word. L. non, not, and 
plus, more. 

NONSUIT, v. To deprive of the benefit of a legal process, in conse- 
quence of some failure in the management. L. non, not, and suit. 

NOSOLOGY, s. Doctrine of diseases. G. nosos, a disease, and logos, 
a description. 

NOTJl BENE, or N. B. "Observe this particularly." N. B. is 
often used instead of P. S. or postscript ,- but a careful writer will 
avoid this impropriety. L. nota, (imper. of noto,) mark, bene, well. 

NOTABLE, adj. Remarkable. — (vulgarly, careful.) L. notabilis ; from 
noto, to mark. 

NOTARY, s. An official recorder. L. notarius; from noto, to mark. 

NOTATION, s. The art of recording or describing by scientific marks, 
as in arithmetic and music. L. notatio ,• from noto, to mark. 

NOTE. v. To observe ; to record. L. noto, to mark. 

NOTIFY, v. To make known. L. notifico ; comp. of notus, known, 
(p. part, ofnosco,) and facio, to make. 

NOTION, s. Idea ; conception of the mind ; sentiment ; opinion. F. 
notion; from the L. notus, part, of nosco, to know. 

NOTORIOUS, adj. Extensively known, (used mostly in relation to a 
bad action.) L. notorius ; from noto, to mark. 

NOURISH, v. To support by food; to promote growth or strength ; 
to encourage ; to foment. F. nourrir : L. nutrio, to nurse. 

NOVEL, adj. New and uncommon. L. novellas, dim. of novus, new. 

NOVEMBER, s. The eleventh month, formerly the ninth, when the 
year began in March. L. novembris ,- novem,nme. 

NOVICE. 5. An inexperienced person; one who has entered a con- 
vent, but has not yet taken the vow. F. novice : L. novus, new. 

NOVITIATE, s. The state of a novice ; the time in which the rudi- 
ments are learned ; the time spent in a religious house, by way of 
trial, before the vow is made. F. noviciat ; L. novitius, newly made. 
See NOVICE. 

NO VUS HOMO. A term used to denote a man recently emerged 
from obscurity, or from a state of comparative indigence. L. novus, 
new, and homo, a man. 

NOXIOUS, adj. Hurtful. L. noxius ,- from noceo, to hurt. 

NUCIFEROUS, adj. Nut-bearing. L. nucis, gen. of nux, a nut, and 
fero, to bear. 

NUCLEUS, s. A kernel ; something about which matter is collected. 
L. nucleus, a kernel. 

NUDE. s. A female who exposes her person by the lightness or scan- 
tiness of her dress. L. nudus, naked. 

NUDITY, s. Nakedness. F. nudite .• L. nudus, naked, 
N2 



NUG— OBL 

NUGATORY, adj. Trifling" ; futile ; insignificant. L. nugalorius, • 

from nugor, to trifle. 
NUISANCE, s. Something noxious or offensive ; something that in- 
commodes the " neighbourhood. F. nuisance: L. nocens, part, of 

noceo, to hurt. 
NULL. adj. Of no force ; extinct. L. nullus, none. 
NUMERAL, adj. Relating to number. F. numeral: L. numerus, a 

number. 
NUMERICAL, adj. Containing number ; relating to the number, but 

not the quality. See NUMERAL. 
NUMEROUS, adj. Great in number; many. L. numerosus ; from 

numerus, a number. 
NUNCUPATIVE, adj. Verbally pronounced ; not written. L. nun~ 

cupatus : from nuncio, to tell. 
NUPTIAL, adj. Relating to marriage. L. nuptialis,- from nubo 9 to 

veil, because the Roman ladies were veiled, at the time of marriage. 
NURSE, s. A woman that has the care of a child, or of a sick person ; 

one who rears, educates, or protects. F. nourrtce. See NOURISH. 
NURTURE, v. To feed ; to bring to maturity ; to educate. F. nour- 

riture, sustenance. See NURSE. 
NUTATION, s. Act of nodding or inclining. L. nutatio .- nuio, t© 

nod. 
NUTRIMENT, s. Food. L. nutrimentum ,- from nutrio, to nurse. 
NUTRITIOUS, adj. Nourishing. L nutritius ; from nutrio, to nurse, 
NYMPH, s. A goddess of the woods, meadows, or waters ; in poetry, 

a young female. L. nympha: G. numpke, a bride. This sense 

does not, however, accord either with the heathen, or the present 

application of the word. 

O. 

OBDURATE, adj. Hard of heart ; stubborn ; impenitent. L. obdura* 

tus, part. o£obduro; ob, against, and duro, to harden. 
OBEDIENT, adj. Submissive to authority ; obsequious. L. obediens. 

See OBEY. 
OBEISANCE, s. An act of submission, or reverence ; a bow, or 

courtesy. F. obeisance. See OBEY. 
OBELISK, s. A monument, generally of four sides, and pyramidical; a 

mark (f ) referring to the margin. L. obeliscus : G. obehs, a spit, or 

species of weapon used in war. 
OBESITY, s. High degree of fatness. L. obesus, fat. 
OBEY. v. To submit to authority ; to comply with. L. obeo, to go to, 

or be ready at: ob, according to, and eo, to go. 
OBIIT. v. He (or she) died. L. obeo, to go to, or die. See OBEY. 
OB'JECT. s. Something thrown or placed before the eye ; something 

in view ; something acted upon. L. objectus, p. part, of objicio; from 

ob, before, or against, and jacio, to throw, or place. 
OBJECT', v. To oppose ; (with to or against.) See the noun. 
OBJECTIVE, adj. Relating to the object ; s. the third case in the 

majority of English grammars. See OB ; JECT. 
OBLATE, adj. Partaking of flatness. L. oblatus, (p. part, ofoffero?) 

Struck, or forced: ob, against, and fero, to bear. 



OBL— OCC 

OBLATION. *. A religious sacrifice. L. oblatus, p. part, of offtro, te 

offer. 
OBLIGATION. 8. Binding- power ; contract ; duty ; favour conferred. 

L. obligatio. See OBLIGE. 
OBLIGE, v. To bind; to compel; to do a kind action, and thus bind the 

person favoured, by a tie of gratitude. F. obliger ; L. obligo ; ob, 

according- to, or by reason of, and llgo, to bind: 
OBLIQUE, adj. Not direct ; not parallel ; not perpendicular. L. ob- 

liquus ; from ob, against, or about, and lictus, p. part, of linquo, tu 

leave, or forsake. 
OBLITERATE, v. To blot out} to destroy. L. oblitero ; comp. of 

ob, ag-ainst, and liter a, a letter. 
OBLIVION, s. Forg-etfulness ; amnesty. L. oblivio / from ob, against, 

and lavo, to wash. 
OBLOQUY, s. Censure ; slander ; reproach. L. obloquor, to reproach; 

comp. of ob, against, and loquor, to speak. 
OBNOXIOUS, adj. Injurious ; considered with aversion. L. obnoxius; 

ob, against, and noceo, to hurt. 
OBSCURE, adj. Dark; abstruse; little known. L. obscurus : G. 

skieros, shady ; skia, a shadow. 
OBSEQUIES, s. Funeral solemnities. F. obseques ,- from the L. ob- 

sequium, attendance on some great person: obsequor, to follow. 
OBSEQUIOUS, adj. Meanly compliant. L. obsequiosus; from ob, 

according to, and seqicor, to follow. 
OBSERVE, v. To watch ; to regard attentively ; to note ; to keep 

religiously. L. observo; ob, opposite to, and servio, to keep. 
OBSOLETE, adj. Disused. L. obsoletus ,• from obsoleo ; ob, against, 

and soleo, to use. 
OBSTACLE, s. Obstruction ; hindrance. F. obstacle : L. ob, against, 

and sto, to stand. 
OBSTETRIC, adj. Relating to midwifery. L. obstetrix, a midwife. 
OBSTINATE, adj. Stubborn. L. obstinatus, part, of obstino : comp^ 

of ob, against, and teneo, to hold. 
OBSTRUCT, v. To place an obstacle in the way ; to impede ; to hin- 
der. L. obstruction, sup. of obstruo ,• from ob, against, and struo, to 

pile up. 
OBTAIN, v. To gain ; to acquire ; to procure. L. obtineo : ob, against, 

and teneo, to hold. 
OBTRUDE, v. To thrust one's-self in the way ; to offer intrusively. 

L. obtrudo ,• from ob, against, and trudo, to thrust. 
OBTRUSION, s. The act of obtruding. L. obtrusus, p. part, of ob- 
trudo. See OBTRUDE. 
OBTUSE, adj. Blunt ; — opposed to acute. L. obtusus, p. part, of ob- 

tundo ; comp. of ob, against, and tundo, to beat; — that is, made 

blunt by being beaten. 
OBVIATE, v. To avert or remove, by meeting the obstruction in its 

way or passage. L. ob, against, and via, & way. 
1 OBVIOUS, adj. Easily perceived. L. obvius, meeting in the way j 

comp. of ob, against, and via, a way. 
©CCASION. s. Occurrence ; incident ; opportunity. Lr. occasio,- from 

ob, for, or against, and casus, a chance. 



OCC— OFF 

OCCIDENTAL, adj. Western. L. occidentalism occidens, the west: 

from occido, to fall down ; alluding to the setting- of the sun. 
OCCLUSION, s. Act of shutting up. L. occlusio ; from ob, against, 

and clausum, sup. of claudo, to shut. 
OCCULT, adj. Hidden ; abstruse. L. occultus ; p. part, of occulo, to 

hide. 
OCCUPY, v. To hold. L. occupo ; comp. of ob, before, and capio, to 

take. 
OCCUR, v. To enter into the mind ; to happen. L. occurro ,- from ob, 

against, and curro, to run. 
OCELLATED. adj. Resembling the eye. L. ocellatus ; oculus, an 

eye. 
OCTAGON, s. A figure containing eight sides and angles. G. okto, 

eight, and gonia, a corner. 
OCTANGULAR, adj. Having eight angles. L. odo, eight, and an- 

gulus, an angle. 
OCTAVE, s. In music, an eighth, or an interval of eight sounds. L» 

octavus, eight. 
OCTAVO, s. A book, each leaf of which is equal in size to the eighth 

part of a sheet. L. abl. of octavus, the eighth. 
OCTENNIAL, adj Happening every eighth year; lasting eight years. 

L. odo, eight, and annus, a year. 
OCTOBER, s. The tenth month ; formerly the eighth, when the year 

began in March. L. odober ,• from odo, eight. 
OCTUPLE, adj. Eightfold. L. octuplus ,- from odo, eight. 
OCULAR, adj. Relating to perception by sight. F. oculaire : L. ocu- 

lus, an eye. 
OCULIST, s. An eye-surgeon. L. oculus, an eye. 
ODE. s. A poem intended to be sung. G. ode,- from aeido, to sing. 
ODIOUS, adj. Hateful ; detestable. L. odiosus. See ODIUM. 
ODIUM, s. Quality of provoking dislike ; disgrace. L. odium, dislike. 
ODOMETER, s. An instrument for measuring the length of roads. G. 

odos, a way, and metreo, to measure. 
ODORIFEROUS, adj. Fragrant. L. odorifer ,• from odor, scent, and 

few, to bring. 
OFFEND, v. To displease ; to transgress. L. offendo, to strike 

against. 
OFFENSIVE, adj. Offending ; assailing ; opposed to defensive ; dis- 
pleasing ; disgusting ; painful. F. offensif: L. ojfensus, p. part, of 

offendo. See OFFEND. 
OFFER, v. To present ; to attempt. L. offero ,- comp. of ob, for, or 

against, and/era, to bring. 
OFFICE, s. A public charge or employment 5 agency ; business ; a 

place for transacting business. F. office: L. officium ,- comp. of ob, 

for, and facio, to do. 
OFFICIAL, adj. Relating to an office; published by the proper office, 

and thus made authentic. F. official See OFFICE. 
OFFICIATE, v. To perform the business of an office. See OFFICE. 
OFFICIOUS, adj. Though this word ori ^h: ai Jy expressed doing good 

offices, which meaning is in exact ace -dance with its etymology, it 

is now rarely used except to denote intrusively active. F. officieux: 

L. officiosus. See OFFICE. 



OIL— OPP 

OIL. s. The expressed juice of olives ; any thin, greasy matter. L. 

oleum ,- olea, an olive tree. 
OLEAGINOUS, adj. Oily. L. oleaginus ; from oka, an olive tree, and 

genus, a kind. See OIL. 
OLFACTORY, adj. Having the sense of smelling. F. olfactoire .• L. 

olfacio, to smell to. 
OLIGARCHY, s. Government by a few. G. oligarchia,- from oligos, 

a few, and arche, government. 
OLYMPIAD, s. A period of four years, or that space of time which 

elapsed between the periodical celebration of the Olympic games. 

The first of these great celebrations, at Olympia, in Peloponnesus, 

occurred 779 years before Christ, and 22 before the foundation of 

Rome. 
OMEN. s. A prognostic. L. omen : G. oimai, to consider, or suppose. 
OMINOUS, adj. Prognosticating 5 betokening ; generally considered 

inauspiciously, or in an unfavourable sense. L. ominosus. See 

OMEN. 
OMISSION, s. The act of omitting ; thing omitted. L. omissus, p. 

part, of omitto. See OMIT. 
OMIT. v. To leave out ; to neglect. L. omitto ,- ob, signifying aside, 

and mitto, to send. 
OMNIPOTENT, adj. Almighty. L. omnipotent; comp. of omnis, all, 

and pot em, (part, of possum,) being able. 
OMNIPRESENT, adj. In every place. L. omnis, all, and praesens s 

being present. 
OMNISCIENT, adj. Knowing every thing. L. omnis, all, and sciens, 

part, of scio, to know. 
OMNIUM, s. The aggregate of certain portions of different stocks in 

the English funds. L. omnium, of all ; gen. pi. of omnis. 
ONEROUS, adj. Burthensome ; oppressive. L. onerosus ,• from onus, 

a burthen. 
ONOMANCY. s. Pretended divination by a name. G. onoma, a name, 

and manteia, a foretelling. 
ONTOLOGY, s. The doctrine of being or existence. G. on, being, 

and logos, a description. 
ONUS FROBANDL The burthen of proving. L. onus, a burthen, 

and proband* , gen. gerund oi'probo, to prove. 
OPACITY, s. Cloudiness 5 want of transparency. F. opacite : L. opa- 

citas. See OPAQUE. 
OPAQUE, adj. Cloudy; not transparent. F. opaque: L. opacus ; 

from opaco, to shade. 
OPERATE, v. To act; to produce effect. L. operor ,• from opus, 

work. 
OPEROSE. adj. Requiring much labour. L. operosus. See OPE- 
RATE. 
OPHTHALMIA, s. A disorder of the eyes. G. ophthalmos, an eye. 
OPIATE, s. A medicine that promotes sleep. G. opion, the juice of 

poppies. 
OPINION, s. Conjecture; sentiments ; judgment. L. opinio ,- from 

opinor, to think. 
OPPONENT, s. One who opposes. L. opponens 3 (part, of oppon^} 

opposing. See OPPOSE. 



OPP— ORG 

OPPORTUNITY, s. Convenient point of time ; convenience. L. op* 

portunltas ; from ob, in the way of, and porto, to cany. 
OPPOSE, v. To stand in front ; to act against ; to obstruct ; to hinder. 

L. oppositum, sup. ofoppono,- from ob, against, and pono, to place. 
OPPOSITE, adj. Standing in front ; contrary. See OPPOSE. 
OPPRESS, v. To crush ; to tyrannise over. L. oppressum, sup. of 

opprimo ; ob, against, and premo, to press. 
OPPROBRIOUS, adj. Reproachful ; scurrilous. L. opprobrium, dis- 
grace: ob, against, and probrum, deformity. 
OPPUGN, v. To oppose; to resist. L. oppugno ; ob, against, and 

pugno, to fight. 
OPTICIAN, s. One skilled in optics; a maker of optical instruments. 

See OPTICS. 
OPTICS, s. The science of the laws of vision. G. ops, an eye. 
OPTIMISM. s. The doctrine that every thing is ordered for the best. 

F. optimisme ; from the L. optimus, best. 
OPTION, s. Power of choosing ; choice. L. optio ; from opto, to 

choose. 
OPULENT, adj. Wealthy. L. opulens ; opes, riches; from opts, 

power. 
ORACLE, s. One who conveys information by supernatural wisdom ; 

or by pretended supernatural wisdom, as the oracle at Delphos ; the 

place where the information is delivered ; a person famed for wis- 
dom. L, oraculum ,- oro, to speak. 
ORAL. adj. Delivered by the mouth; not written. F. oral: L. oris, 

gen. of os, the mouth. 
ORATOR, s. A petitioner ; a public speaker ; a man of eloquence. 

L. orator ,• from oro, to entreat. 
ORB. s. A sphere ; circular body ; circle ; line described by a planet. 

L. orbis, a round thing of any kind. 
ORBICULAR, adj. Spherical ; circular. See ORB. 
ORBIT, s. The line described by the revolution of a planet. L. orbita. 

See ORB. 
ORCHESTRA, or ORCHESTRE. s. The place where the musicians 

sit in a theatre, or ball room. G. orchestra,- from orcheomai, t© 

dance, — alluding to the dancing choristers of a Greek theatre. 
ORDAIN, v. To appoint ; to decree ; to invest with the sacerdotal 

office. L. ordino ,- from ordo, a rule or law. 
ORDINAL, adj. Relating to numerical position ; as, first, second, 

third. L. ordinalis ,- from ordo, order or rank. 
ORDINANCE, s. A law ; appointment. F. ordonnance. See OR* 

DAIN. 
ORDINARY, adj. Established; common; of low rank. L. ordina- 

rius. See ORDAIN. 
ORDINATION, s. Established order or tendency ; investment of the 

sacerdotal office. L. ordinatio. See ORDAIN. 
ORGAN, s- Natural instrument ; as the ear, which is the organ of 

hearing, — the eye, of sight ; a sort of musical instrument. F. or- 

gone : G. organon, an instrument : cge, force ; or ergon, work. 
ORGANIZE, v. To arrange, so that ail the parts may co-operate. 

See ORGAN. 
ORGIES, s. Frantic revels. G. orgia; from orge, vehement ardour. 



ORI— OXY . 

ORIENTAL, adj. Eastern. F. oriental,- L. oriens, the east ; from 

orior, to arise. 
ORIFICE. s. An opening", or perforation. L. orificium ,- from oris, 

gen. of 05, a mouth, or gap, and facio, to make. 
ORIGIN, s. Beginning; source. L. origo ,- from orior, to arise. 
ORIGINAL, adj. Primitive ; not copied from another. L. originalis. 

See ORIGIN. 
ORISONS. *. Prayers. F. oraisons : L. oro, to entreat. 
ORNAMENT, s. Embellishment. L. ornamentum ,• orno, to adorn. 
ORNITHOLOGY, s. A description of birds. G. ornithos, gen. ofornis, 

a bird, and logos, a word or description. 
ORPHAN, s. A child who has lost both of its parents, or one of its 

parents. G. orphanos, destitute. 
ORTHODOXY, s. Supposed infallibility of opinion and doctrine. G. 

orihodoxia ; orihos, right, and dokeo, to perceive. 
ORTHOEPY, s. The science of right pronunciation. G. orihos, right, 

and epos, a word. 
ORTHOGON. s. A rectangular figxire. G. orihos, right, and gonia, 

an angle. 
ORTHOGRAPHY, s. Knowledge of spelling. G. orihos, right, and 

grapho, to write. 
OSCILLATION, s. The act of moving backward and forward like a 

pendulum. L. oscillum, an image, suspended and swung in the air, 

by the heathen worshipers. G. ossio-o, to render holy. 
OSSIFY, v. To change to bone. L. os, a bone, a.nd Jio, to become. 
OSTENSTVE. adj. Avowed ; shown. F. ostensif: L. ostensus, p. 

part, of osiendo,- ob, opposite to, and tendo, to stretch forth. 
OSTENTATION, s. Ambitious display; vain show. L. ostentatio. 

See OSTENSIVE. 
OSTRACISM, s. Public sentence inscribed, by each voter, upon a 

shell. G. ostrakismos ,• from ostrakon, a shell. 
OUTRE', adj. Uncommon ; different from the usual mode. F. 
OVAL. adj. ' Nov quite round, but oblate at the ends or poles. F. 

ovale, • L. ovum, an egg. 
OVATION, s. A lesser Roman triumph. L. ovatio; from ovis, a sheep; 

because, on this occasion, the victor sacrificed a sheep ; but, in the 

greater triumph, he sacrificed a bull. 
OVERPLUS, s. Surplus. Compounded of over, and L. plus, more. 
OVERT, adj. Open ; public. F. ouvert, part, of ouvrir, to open. 
OVERTURE, s. First proposal ; musical prelude. F. ouverture ,• from 

ouvrir, to open ; — that is, to begin. 
OVIFORM, s. Having- the form of an egg". L. ovum, an eg-g, and 

forma, shape. 
OVIPAROUS, adj. Bringing forth eggs. L. ovum, an egg, and pario, 

to bring forth. 
OXALIC, adj. The acid denominated oxalic, is found in the juice of 

sorrel. L. oxalis, wild sorrel. 
OXIDE, s. Any substance combining oxygen, in a proportion not suf- 
ficient to produce acidity. See OXYGEN. 
OXYGEN, s. The principle of acids, and of combustion, and a neces- 
sary agent in the support of animal life. G. oxus, an acid, and gen- 

nao, to generate. 



OYE— PAN 

OYER AND TERMINER. A judicial commission given "to hear 
and determine." F. oyer, to hear, and terminer, to end or de- 
termine. 



PABULUM, s. Food ; support. L. from pasco, to feed. 

PACE. s. A step made by projecting or expanding the foot; progress. 
F. pas. See PASS. 

PACIFY, v. To appease. F. pacifier: L. pacifico ; comp. of pax, 
peace, and facio, to make. 

PAIR. s. Two things, suiting one to another, as a pair of gloves ; a 
male and female 5 two of a sort. F. paire : L. par ,- from the ad- 
jective par, even in number, two. 

PALACE, s. A royal house ; a house eminently splendid. The Pala- 
tinus Mons, or Mount Palatine, was the site upon which Romulus 
laid the first foundation of Rome ; where also he kept his court ; as 
did Augustus, and all the succeeding- emperors of Rome : from 
which circumstance, the word palatium, or palace, has, ever since, 
been applied to the residence of a monarch, or prince. 

PALE. s. A rail or post ; an enclosure ; district. L. palus, a. post. 

PALINDROME, s. A word or sentence, which is the same, read back- 
ward or forward, as "madam." G. palmdromia ,• palin, again, or 
backwards, and dromos, a running. 

PALINODE, s. A recantation. G. palinodia; palin, again, and ode, a 
song. 

PALISADE, s. A defence made of pales. F. palisade : L. palus, a 
post. 

PALLADIUM, s. Properly, a statue of Pallas, (Minerva,) which, it 
was said, fell from heaven, and on the preservation of winch, it was 
imagined, depended the safety of Troy: it was accordingly stolen 
from the city, by Ulysses and Diomedes. Palladium is generally 
used to denote some great preserver of a country's liberty ; as the 
trial by jury, or freedom of the press. 

PALLEASSE. s. A bed made of straw, firmly compressed, and in- 
closed in ticking. F. paillasse; paille: L. palea, straw. 

PALLET, s. A small bed. F. paille, straw. 

PALLIATE, v. To cloak ; to cover with excuse. L. palli? ; from 
pallium, a cloak. 

PALLID, adj. Pale. L. pallidus, pale. 

PALMISTRY, s. The pretended art of predicting, by viewing the 
lines of the hand. L. palma, the palm of the hand. 

PALPABLE, adj. Perceptible by the touch ; easily detected. F. 
palpable ,• from palpor, to feci in the dark, or grope. 

PALPITATE, v. To beat as the heart. L. palpito, to pant. 

PALSY, s. An abbreviation of Paralysis. 

PANACEA, s. A universal medicine. G. panakeia; pan, all, and 
alms, a cure. 

PAN ADO. s. Food made cf bread and water. L. panis, bi*ead. 

PANDECT, s. A treatise which comprehends the whole of any sci- 
ence ; me digest of the civil law. L. pandecta : G. pan t all, and cfe- 
chomai, to admit. 



PAN— PAR 

PANEGYRIC, s. An encomiastic composition ; praise. F. panegy- 
rique: G. paneguris ; pan, all, and agureo, to collect; meaning", to 
rehearse all worthy deeds. 
PANNEL. s. A square, or piece of any matter, inserted between other 
bodies ; an oblong- piece of parchment, (or Utile pane,) in which the 
sheriff returns the names of the jurors. Dim. of the F. parmeuu, a 
pane. 
PANOPLY, s. Complete armour. G. panoplia ,- from pan, all, and 

opla, armour. 
PANORAMA, s. A very large painting-, extended in a kind cf theatre, 
and exhibiting a view of a city, or of some grandly interesting occur- 
rence, such as a conflagration or a battle. G. pan, all, and orama 9 

a view. 
PANTHEON, s. A temple of all the heathen gods; a book describing 

the heathen gods. G. pantheion ,• comp. ol pun, ali, and tkeos, a 

god. 
PANTOMIME, s. A theatrical drama of action, without speech. F. 

pantomime,' G. pan, all, and mimos, a mimic. 
PANTRY. 5. A closet for provisions. F. paneirie ; pain, bread: L. 

panis, bread. 
PAPAL, adj. Relating to the Pope. L,,papa, a fond name for father. 

G. pappus. 
PAPAVEROUS, adj. Resembling poppies. L. papaver, a poppy. 
PAPER, s. In French, papier,- from papyrus, an Egyptian shrub ; of 

which, paper was originally made. 
PAPILLARY, adj. Having vessels resembling teats. L. papilla, a 

nipple, or teat. 
PAR. s. State of equality ; equal value. L. par, equal. 
PARABLE, s. A similitude. G. parabole ,• eornp. of para, alike, and 

ballo, to deliver, or teach ; — that is, to teach one thing, by another 

which resembles it. 
PARADE, s. Show ; review or exercise of a military corps ; place of 

military exercise. F. parade .• L. pareo, to appear. 
PARADISE, s. Garden of Eden ; celestial abode. G. paradeisos, a 

garden: from a Hebrew word, denoting a place set with fruitful 

trees. 
PARADOX, s. A position seemingly absurd, because contrary to some 

received opinion, — yet, true in fact. G. paradoxus ; para, contrary 

to, and doxos, an opinion. 
PARAGOGE, s. A figure, by which a letter or syllable is affixed to a 

word, without adding any thing to its sense. G. paragoge ; parago, 

to extend. 
PARAGON, s. A model ; something extremely well formed. G. para, 

from, and ago, to form. 
PARAGRAPH, s. A distinct part of a discourse. G. paragraphe ,• 

from para, through, and grapho, to write: meaning, through the 

subject. 
PARALLAX, s. The distance between the true and apparent place of 

the sun, or any star, viewed from the earth. G. parallaxis, a differ- 
ence : para, through, and allato, to change. 
PARALLEL, adj. Extended in the same direction, and preserving 
O 



PAR— PAR 

always the same distance ; equal ; like. G. parallelos ,• from para, 
by the side, and alios, another. 

PARALLELOGRAM, s. A right lined quadrilateral figure, the oppo- 
site sides of which are parallel and equal. G. parallelos, (see pa- 
rallel,) and gramma, a fig-ure. 

PARALOGY, s. False reasoning". G. para, against, and logos, reason. 

PARALYSE, v. To effect by a paralysis ; to enfeeble by contention. 
See PARALYSIS. 

PARALYSIS, s. A palsy. G. paralusis ; from para, through, and luo, 
to untie ; meaning the sinews, &c. 

PARAMOUNT, adj. Superior. G. para, above, and F. monter, to 
go up. 

PARAMOUR, s. A lover, or wooer ; a mistress. F. par, for, and 
amour, love, or a love intrigue. 

PARAPHERNALIA, s. Goods in which a wife has a legal property, 
besides her dower ; suitable apparel and ornaments of a wife. G. 
para, besides, and pherne, a dower. 

PARAPHRASE, s. A loose translation. G. para, alike, or resembling, 
and phrasis, a speech. 

PARASITE, s. One who frequents the tables of the rich, and earns 
his welcome by flattery. But, in the early ages, the name of para- 
site, was venerable, for it properly signified a messmate at the table 
of sacrifices. There was in Greece a college of persons, particularly 
honoured with this title, whose business it was to select the grain, 
&c. for the public offerings. G. parasitos ; from para, over, and 
sitos, corn. 

PARASOL, s. A portable shelter from the sun. G. para, against, and 
L. sol, the sun. 

PARDON, v. To excuse an offender ; to forgive a crime. F. par- 
dormer ; from the L. per, by or through, and dono, to give. 

PAREGORIC, s. An assuaging medicine. G. parcgoreo, to mitigate. 

PARENT, s. A father or mother. F. parent ; L. parens ,• from pario, 
to beget, or bring forth. 

PARENTHESIS, s. A word or sentence, so included within another 
sentence, as that it may be omitted, without injuring the sense of 
that which encloses it. Marked thus ( ). G. para, with, en, in, and 
thesis, a position. 

PAR EXCELLENCE. By way of eminence. F. par, by, and ex- 
cellence, excellence. 

PARHELION. 5. A mock sun, or contiguous resemblance of the sun. 
G.para, near, and helios, the sun. 

PARIETAL, adj. Relating to the parietes. See PARIETES. 

PARIETES. s. In anatomy, a term used for the enclosures, or mem- 
branes, which stop up or close the hollow parts of the body ; such 
as those of the heart and thorax. L. pi. of paries, a wall. 

PARI PASSU. With an equal pace ; by an equal gradation. L. 
pari, with an equal, passu, pace: abl. of par, and passus. 

PARISH, s. The particular charge of a secular priest; the district 
which contributes to the support of a clergyman of the established 
church. Low L. parochia: F. paroisse.- G. paroikia: para, near 
to, and oikeo, to dwell; — referring to an ancient convent .• the inha- 



PAR— PAR 

bitants of which had the charge of a district, such as we now deno- 
minate a parish. 
PARITY, s. Equality. Y.pariU: L. paritas ,• from par, equal. 
PARLEY, s. Conference ; short treaty. F. purler, to speak. 
PARLIAMENT, s. The ancient legislative assembly of the states of 

France ; the present British legislature. F. parlement, (formerly, 

parliament,) from parler, to speak. 
PARLOUR, s. A domestic sitting-room. F. par loir ; from parler, to 

speak, or converse. 
PAROCHIAL, adj. Relating to a parish. See PARISH. 
PARODY, s. A literary imitation. G. parodia,- para, opposite to, and 

ode, a song ; that is, a different subject, in the same style. 
PAROLE, s. Words spoken, not written ; a verbal pledge of honour. 

F. parole, a word. 
PAROXYSM, s. Periodical action of a disease ; a fit. G. paroxusmos; 

from para, through, and oxuno, to sharpen. 
PARRICIDE, s. The murder of a parent, or any near relation. L. pa- 

ricidium : — one who has murdered a parent, or any near relation: 

paricidia : from parens, a parent, and csedo, to kill. 
PARSE, v. To analyze a sentence, into the several parts of speech. 

L partio, to divide. 
PARSIMONY, s. Extreme frugality ; sordid inclination for hoarding. 

L. parsimonia ,- from parco, to spare or save. 
PARSON, s. The priest of a parish. See PARISH. 
PART. s. A portion; member; share, &c. L. pars ; partio, to 

divide. 
PARTAKE, v. To have a part of, Comp. of part, and take. 
PARTERRE, s. A selected piece of ground, separated by a fence. F. 

parterre ,• parti, divided, and terre, land. 
PARTIAL, adj. Favouring one party ; affecting only one part. F. 

partial. See PART. 
PARTICIPATE, v. To partake ; to share. L. participo ; from pars, 

a part, and capio, to take. 
PARTICIPLE, s. A word which, besides its primary quality of verb, 

partakes occasionally of the quality of a substantive and adjective. 

L. participium. See PARTICIPATE. 
PARTICLE, s. Any small portion of a greater substance ; a 

(little) word unvaried by inflection. L. particula, dim. of pars, a 

part. 
PARTICULAR, adj. Single ; distinct ; not general ; uncommon, &c. 

L. particula, a small part. See PARTICLE. 
PARTISAN, s. An adherent to a faction ; a commander of a body of 

troops, who, through patriotism, or some private motive, acts in con- 
cert with the regular army. See PARTY. 
PARTITION, s. Act of dividing; that which divides. L. partitio ; 

partitus, p. part, of partio, to divide. 
PARTITIVE, adj. In grammar, signifies distributive ; as each, or every. 

L. partio, to part or divide : pars, a part. 
PARTURITION, s. State of travail, or labour. L. parturio, to be in 

travail ; from partus, p. part, of pario, to bring forth young. 
PARTY, s. A number of persons confederated in opposition to others; 



PAS— PAU 

a faction ; one, of two or more litigants ; a select assembly, &c. F. 
partiS. See PART. 

PASCHAL, adj. Relating" to the passover. G. pascha, a passing- over. 

PASS. v. To go ; to move from one place to another ; to be at an end, 
&c. F. passer .• L. passus, a step. 

PJISSIM. In various places ; here and there: a term used by authors, 
when referring generally to the writings of another, without seve- 
rally quoting the pages. L. passim, every where. 

PASSIVE, adj. Unresisting ; suffering ; not active, but being the ob- 
j , ct of action. L. passivus ,- from potior, to suffer. 

PAST. adj. Neither present nor future ; gone through. See PASS. 

PASTOR, s. A shepherd ; a clergyman. L. pastor ,• pasco, to feed. 

PASTURE, s. Grazing land. F. pasture : L. pastus ,- from pasco, t© 
feed. 

PATENT, s. An exclusive privilege. Letters patent, or "open let- 
ters," are so called, because they are not sealed up, but exposed to 
open view, with the great seal pendant at the bottom. 

PATERNAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to a father. L. paternus ; 
from pater, a father. 

PATER-NOSTER. s. The name of the Lord's Prayer, by the Roman 
Catholic church ; because, pater and noster, (our father,) are the 
first two words of that prayer. L. pater, a father, and noster, our. 

PATHETIC, adj. Affecting the finer passions. G. pathetikos. See 
PATHOS. 

PATHOLOGY, s. That part of medical science which treats of the 
distempers incident to the human body, with their differences, 
causes, and effects. G. pathos, a disease, and logos, a description. 

PATHOS, s. Strong feeling ; the feeling or expression of some pas- 
sion ; energy. G. pathos, passion. 

PATIENT, adj. Not easily provoked 5 calm under affliction. L. pa- 
tiens ,- from potior, to suffer. 

PATIENT, s. A person suffering pain, in consequence of disease. 
See the adjective. 

PATRIARCH, s. The father of a tribe. G. patriarches ; comp. ofpa- 
tria, a family, and archos, a chief. 

PATRICIAN, adj. Senatorial; noble; not plebeian. L. patricius ,- 
pater, a father. 

PATRICIDE, s. Murder of a father. L. patris, gen. of pater, a father, 
and csedo, to kill. 

PATRIMONY, s. An estate possessed by inheritance. L. pairimonium; 
pater, a father. 

PATRIOT, s. An active lover of his country. L. patria, one's country, 
or native soil. 

PATRON, s. One who countenances, supports, or protects ; one who 
has the appointment to an ecclesiastical preferment. F. patron : L. 
patronus ,- pater, a father, 

PATRONYMIC, s. A name expressing that of the father or ancestor: 
as, Tydides, the son of Tydeus ; O'Neil, the son of Neil, Mac Gre- 
gor, the son of Gregor. G. patronumikos ; from pater, a father, and 
onoma, a name. 

PAUCITY, s. Smallness of number. L. paucitas ,- from pauci, few, 



PAU— PEL 

PAUPER, s. A poor person ; one who receives alms. L. pauper, 
poor. 

PAUSE, s. A stop ; cessation. F. pause : L. positus, p. part, of pom, 
to place, or lay, or set down. 

PEACE, s. Reconciliation of differences ; respite from war ; rest ; 
quiet. Y.paix: L. pax ; from pactus, p. part, of pango, to agree 
upon, or contract. 

PEASANT, s. One whose business is rural labour. F. paysan; pays, 
a country. 

PECCANT, adj. Criminal ; corrupt ; injurious to health. F. peccant.- 
L. peccans, part, of pecco, to sin. 

PECCAVI. s. "I have sinned." To make a person " cry peccavi," 
is, in cant language, to compel him to acknowledge his transgres- 
sion. L. from pecco, to sin. 

PECTORAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the breast. L. pectoralis; 
pectus, the breast. 

PECULATION, s. Robbery of the public ; theft of public money. L. 
peculor, to rob the public: probably from pecunia, money. 

PECUNIARY, adj. Relating to money. L. pecuniarily „• from pecunia, 
money. Pliny says, that the first Roman coins, bearing an impres- 
sion, were made by order of Servius Tullus, and stamped with the 
resemblance of sheep and oxen ; hence, pecunia is derived from 
pecus, a flock of sheep, or other cattle. 

PEDAGOGUE, s. Originally signified a teacher of children, generally? 
but now it refers only to a pedantic teacher. L. pedagogus : G. 
paidagogos ,• pais, a boy, or girl, and ago, to guide. 

PEDAL, s. Something designed to be acted upon by the foot ; as the 
pedal of an organ, harp, or piano-forte. L. pedalis ; pedis, gen. of 
pes, a foot. 

PEDANT s. Originally meant one who taught children ; but the term 
is now applied to a man vain of low knowledge, or awkwardly osten- 
tatious of his literature. F. pedant : G. paidos, gen. of pais, a boy^ 
or girl. 

PEDESTAL, s. The base of a statue or pillar. F. piedestal: L. pedis, 
gen. of pes, a foot. 

PEDESTRIAN, s. One who travels on foot. L. pedester, performed 
on foot: pes, a foot. 

PEDICLE, s. That by which the leaf or fruit is fixed to the tree. L, 
pediculus ,• dim. of pes, a foot. 

PEDLER. s. A pedestrian dealer. See PEDESTRIAN. 

PEDOBAPTIST. s. One who adheres to the practice of infant bap- 
tism. G. paidos, gen. of pais, a child, and baptizo, to baptize. 

PEDOMETER, s. An instrument for showing how far a person 
has walked. L. pedis, gen. of pes, a foot, and G. metreo, to mea- 
sure. 

PEER. s. An equal; a nobleman, (the several degrees of peers having' • 
the same privileges.) Y.pair.- L. par, equal. 

PELLI'.LE. s. A thin skin ; a film, ^.pellicula, dim. of pellis, a skin* 

PELLUCID, adj. Transparent. L. pellucidus ; from per, through* and 
luceo, to shine. 

PELTRY. 5. Skins. L. pe&s, a skin. 
€2 



PEN— PER 

PEN. s. An instrument for writing-. L. penna, a quill-feather, or a 
pen. 

PENAL, adj. "Denouncing- or enacting punishment ,• used for punish- 
ing-. F. penal: L. poena* punishment. 

PENALTY, s. Punishment ; fine. See PENAL. 

PENANCE, s. Punishment inflicted or suffered as an expression of 
repentance. L. poena, punishment. 

PENCHANT, s. Inclination ; desire. F. from pencher, to incline. 

PENDANT, s. Something suspended ; a small naval flag. F. pen- 
dant .- L. pendeo, to hang. 

PENDENT, adj. Hanging. L. pendens, part, of pendeo, to hang. 

PENDENTE LITE. Whilst the suit or contest is pending and un- 
determined. L. from pendeo* to hang, and lis, a dispute, or action at 
law. 

PENDING, adj. Remaining undecided ,- during-. See PENDENT. 

PENDULUM, s. Any weight suspended, so that it may perform oscil- 
lations of equal time , the vibrating movement of a clock. L. pen- 
deo, to hang. 

PENETRATE, v. To pierce } to enter ; to reach the meaning. L» 
peneiro ,- penitus, within. 

PENINSULA, s. A tract of land almost surrounded by water. L. 
pene, almost, insula, an island. 

PENITENT, adj. Repentant. L. poenitens, part, of pceniteo? from. 
poena, punishment, pain, remorse. 

PENNATED. adj. Winged:— pennated, in botanical language, refers 
to those leaves which grow directly, one against another, on the 
same rib or stalk. L. pennatus ,- penna, a feather, or wing. 

PENSION, s. Pecuniary allowance, given at regular periods, as a re- 
ward of service, or through charity. F. pension : L. pensus, p. part, 
of pendo, to pay. 

PENSIVE, adj. Sorrowfully thoughtful. F. pensif? from penser, t& 
thmk. . L. penso : pendu, to weigh, or consider on. 

PENTAGON, s. A figure with five angles. G. pence, five, and gonia y 
a corner, or angle. 

PENTAMETER, s. A Latin verse of five feet. L. pentametrum : G. 
pente, five, and metrou, measure. 

PENTANGULAR, adj. Five cornered. G. pente, five, and angular. 

PENTATEUCH. *. The five books of Moses. G. pente, five, and 
teuchos, a volume. 

PENTECOST, s. One of the Jewish feasts ; Whitsuntide. G. pente- 
eoete, fifty ; because celebrated fifty days after the passover. 

PENULTIMATE, adj. Last except one. L. penultiinus ; comp. of 
pene, almost, and ultimus, the last. 

PENUMBRA, s. An imperfect shadow. L. pene, almost, and umbra, 
a shadow. 

PENURIOUS, adj. Niggardly ; sordidly mean. L. penuria, scarcity. 

PENURY, s. Poverty ; indigence. L. penuria, want. 

PEPTIC, adj. Promoting digestion. G. pepio, to boil or digest. 

PER ADVENTURE, adv^ Perhaps. L, per, by, and adventure , mean- 
ing, a chance. 

PERAMBULATE, v. To walk through ; to visit the boundaries. L. 
perombulo .,• per, through, and ambulo, to walk. 



PER— PER 

PER ANNUM. By the year ; for every year. L. per, by, and annum, 

accus. of annus, a year. 
PERCE1 l E v. To know, through the medium of the senses ; to ob- 
serve. F. appercevoiri L- percipio ; per, through, and capio, t« 

take. 
PERCENT. By the hundred ; for every hundred. L. per, by, and 

centum, a hundred- 
PERCEPTION, s. The faculty or act of perceiving-. L. perceptio ; 

fus, p. pavt. of perd'pio. See PERCEIVE. 
PERCIPIENT. a$\ HavingYne power of perception. L. percipiens, 

part, ot'per&'pio, co perceive. 
PERCOLATE. i>. To strain, or filter. L. percolo, to filter: joer, through, 

and coh, icokre,) to strain. 
PERCUSSION, s. The act of striking-, or shaking violently. L. per- 

cuss-to ; from percutio, to strike : per, through, and quatio, to shake. 
PER DIEM. By the day ; for every day. L. per, by, and diem, 

accus. of dies, a day. 
PERDITION, s. Destruction: eternal damnation. L. perditio ,• from 

perdo, to lose. 
PEREGRINATION, s. Travel. L. peregrinatio ; from per, through* 

and ager, a field, or country. 
PEREMPTORY, adj. Absolute; dictatorial. L. peremptorius ,- from 

peri mo, to take away wholly: that is, to remove all excuse for 

nonperformance. 
PERENNIAL, adj. Lasting- through the whole year ; perpetuaL L. 

perenms ,- comp. cf per, through, and av.nus, a year. 
PERFECT, adj. Complete ; without blemish. L.perfectus, p. part. 

of perficio, to finish: comp. of per, throughout, and facio, to make. 
PERFIDY, s. Treachery. L. perfidia ,- from per, through, and fides, 

trust. 
PERFLATION, s. Act of blowing- through. L. perflatus, p. part, of 

perflo ,- per, through, and Jio, to blow. 
PERFORATE, v. To bore ; to pierce. L. perforo ; from per, through, 

and foro, to bore. 
PERFORM, v. To finish ; to execute ; to do. L. per, throughout, and 

for mo, to frame. 
PERFUME, v. To impregnate with sweet scent. F. parfume: L. per, 

throughout, xn&fumus, smoke, or vapour. 
PERICARDIUM, s.. A memL>rane which envelops the heart. G. peri, 

about, and Jcardia, the heart. 
PERiCARPIUM. 5. A membrane which envelops the fruit or grain of 

a plant ; or that part of the fruit which encompasses the seed. G. 

peri, about, Jcarpos, fruit. 
PERICRAMUM. s. A membrane which covers the skull. G. peri, 

about, and kranion, the skull. 
PERIGEE, s. A point in the heavens, where a planet is in its nearest 

distance from the earth. G. peri, towards, andge, the earth. 
PERHIELIUM, or PERIHELION, s. That point of a planet's orbit, 

wherein it is nearest to the sun. G. peri, towards, and heb.os, the 

sun. 
PERIL, s. Danger ; hazard. F. peril: L. per kulum. See PERISH, 



PER— PER 

PERIOD. 5. A round of time ; a conclusion ; a point of time ; a gram- 
matical point (.). G. periodos; comp. of peri, through, or around, 

and odos, a way. 
PERIPATETIC, adj. Relating to the peripatetics ; to the philosophy 

of Aristotle and his followers, who taught whilst walking. G. peri, 

about, and pateo, to walk. 
PERIPHERY, s. Circumference. G. pert, around, and phero, to 

carry. 
PERIPHRASIS, s. Circumlocution. G. periphrasis; from peri, around, 

and pkrasis, a speech. 
PERIPNEUMONIA, s. Inflammation of the lungs. G. peri, about, 

and pneumon, the lungs. 
PERISH, v. To cease to have existence ; to die; to decay ; L. pereo; 

per, through, and to, to go. 
PERITONEUM, s. The soft, thin membrane, which lies immediately 

under the muscles of the lower abdomen. G. peri, about, and teino, 

to stretch out. 
PERJURE, v. To swear falsely and corruptly. L. perjuro; comp. of 

per, through, or under pretence, andjwro, to swear. 
PERMANENT, adj. Durable ; lasting. L. permanens, part, of per- 

maneo ; per, through, and maneo, to remain. 
PERMISSION, s. Leave ; allowance. F. permission : L. permissus, 

p. part, of permitto. See PERMIT. 
PERMIT, v. To allow. L. permitto ,• from per, through, and mitto, 

to send ; that is, to allow a passage, or entrance. 
PERNICIOUS, adj. Highly injurious; destructive. L. perniciosus ; 

from per, through, and noceo, to hurt ; meaning, to injure largely. 
PERORATION, adj. The concluding division of a formal speech. L. 

peroratio ,- from per, throughout, and oro, to speak: meaning, to re- 
capitulate. 
PERPENDICULAR, adj. Hanging or being in a direction towards the 

centre of gravity ; placed so as to form right angles. L. perpendi- 

cularis; per, by, and pendeo, to hang from. 
PERPETRATE* v. To commit ; thoroughly to effect ; (always taken 

in a criminal sense. ) L. perpetro ; per, through, and petro, to effect, 

or bring about. 
PERPETUAL, adj. Never ceasing. L. perpetuus ,- perpetuo, to con- 
tinue: from per, through, and peto, to seek. 
PERPLEX, v. To puzzle ; to entangle. L. per, through, and plexus^ 

p. part, of plecto, to twist. 
PERQUISITE, s. Something gained by a place or office, besides the 

regular wages. L. perquisitus, p. part, of perquiro, to make diligent; 

per, through, and qusero, to seek. 
PER SALTUM. At a leap ; all at once ; without any intermediate 

stage. L. 
PERSE. By itself ; by himself, or herself ; by themselves. L,. per, 

by, se, itself, himself, herself, or themselves. 
PERSECUTE, v. To pursue with malignity ; to tease. L. persecutus, 

part, of persequor ,- from per, through, and sequor, to follow. 
PERSEVERE, v. To persist. L. persevero, from per, through, and 

severus, serious, steady. 



PER— PHA 

PERSIST, v. To persevere. L. persisto ,- from per, through, and sistt, 
to continue. 

PERSPECTIVE, s. View ; the science by which objects are properly 
delineated. F. persper.tif '.- L. perspedus, p. part, of perspicio ,• per, 
through, and specio, to see. 

PERSPICACITY, s. Quickness of sight. L. perspicax, quick-sighted; 
from per, through, and specio, to see. 

PERSPICUITY, s. Clearness of discourse or writing. L. perspicuitas ; 
from per, through, and specio, to see. 

PERSPIRE, v. To pass through the pores of the skin. L. from per, 
through, and spiro, to breathe, or exhale. 

PERSUADE, v. To influence by argument or expostulation ; to bring 
to any particular opinion. L. persuadeo ,- per, through, and suadeo, 
to advise. 

PERTAIN, v. To belong. L. pertineo; from per, by, and teneo, t» 
hold. 

PERTINACIOUS, adj. Obstinate ; resolute. L. pertinax ,- from per, 
by, and teneo, to hold. 

PERTINENT, adj. Suiting the purpose. L. pertinent. See PER- 
TAIN. 

PERTURB, v. To disquiet ; to disturb ; to disorder. L. perturbo; per, 
through, and turbo, to disorder: turba, a crowd. 

PERUSE, v. To read. L. from per, through, and usus, part, of utor, 
to use or be conversant with. 

PERVADE, v. To extend throughout. L. pervado,- from per, through, 
and vado, to march, or move. 

PERVERSE, adj. Perverted ; stubborn. F. pervers. See PERVER- 
SION. 

PERVERSION, s. The act of perverting. F. perversion: L. perversus, 
p. part, of perverto. See PERVERT. 

PERVERT, v. To turn from the original or proper design. L. per- 
verto ,• from per, across, and verto, to turn. 

PERVIOUS, adj. Admitting a passage. L. pervius,- from per, through, 
and via, a way. 

PEST. s. Plague ; something teasing. F. peste : L. pestis, infection, 
mischief. 

PESTIFEROUS, adj. Pestilential ; destructive ; infectious. L. from 
pestis, a pest, or infection, and fero, to carry. 

PETAL, s. The leaf of a flower. G. petalon, a leaf. 

PETIT, or PETTY, adj. A petit jury consists of twelve, and is of in- 
ferior rank to a grand jury. F. petit, small. 

PETITION, s. Request ; prayer. L. petitio ,- from peto, to ask. 

PETIT-MAITRE. s. A coxcomb ; a beau. F. petit, little, and maiire, 
a master. 

PETKIFY. v. To change to stone. L. petra, a rock, and Jio, to be- 
come. 

PETTY, adj Small 5 mean. See PETIT. 

PETULANT, adj. Quickly and suddenly impatient; saucy; perverse. 
L. petulans ,• from peto, to seek. 

PHANTASM, s. Something appearing only in the imagination, G, 
phantasma ; from phaino, to appear. 



PER— PER 

PERIOD. 5. A round of time ; a conclusion; a point of time; a graic 

matical point (.). G. periodos,- comp. of peri, through, or around, 

and odos, a way. 
PERIPATETIC, adj. Relating to the peripatetics; to the philosophy 

of Aristotle and his followers, who taught whilst walking. G. peri, 

about, and pateo, to walk. 
PERIPHERY, s. Circumference. G. peri, around, and phero, to 

carry. 
PERIPHRASIS, s. Circumlocution. G. periphrasis ,• from peri, around, 

and phrasis, a speech. 
PERIPNEUMONIA, s. Inflammation of the lungs. G. peri, about, 

and pneumon, the lungs. 
PERISH, v. To cease to have existence ; to die ; to decay ; L. pereo; 

per, through, and to, to go. 
PERITONEUM, s. The soft, thin membrane, which lies immediately 

under the muscles of the lower abdomen. G. peri, about, and teino, 

to stretch out. 
PERJURE, v. To swear falsely and corruptly. L. perjuro; comp. of 

per, through, or under pretence, and juro, to swear. 
PERMANENT, adj. Durable ; lasting. L. permanens, part, of per- 

maneo ; per, through, and maneo, to remain. 
PERMISSION, s. Leave; allowance. F. permission: L. permissus, 

p. part, of permitto. See PERMIT. 
PERMIT, v. To allow. L. permitto ; from per, through, and mitto, 

to send ; that is, to allow a passage, or entrance. 
PERNICIOUS, adj. Highly injurious; destructive. L. perniciosus; 

from per, through, and noceo, to hurt ; meaning, to injure largely. 
PERORATION, adj. The concluding division of a formal speech. L. 

peroratio ,- from per, throughout, and oro, to speak: meaning, to re- 
capitulate. 
PERPENDICULAR, adj. Hanging or being in a direction towards the 

centre of gravity ; placed so as to form right angles. L. perpendi- 

cidaris,- per, by, and pendeo, to hang from. 
PERPETRATE." v. To commit ; thoroughly to effect ; (always taken 

in a criminal sense. ) L. perpetro ; per, through, and petro, to effect, 

or bring about. 
PERPETUAL, adj. Never ceasing. L. perpetuus ,- perpetuo, to con- 
tinue: from per, through, and peto, to seek. 
PERPLEX, v. To puzzle ; to entangle. L. per, through, and plexus^ 

p. part, of pledo, to twist. 
PERQUISITE, s. Something gained by a place or office, besides the 

regular wages. L. perquisitus, p. part, of perquiro, to make diligent; 

per, through, and qusero, to seek. 
PER SAL TUM. At a leap ; all at once ; without any intermediate 

stage. L. 
PERSE. By itself ; by himself, or herself ; by themselves. L. per, 

by, se, itself, himself, herself, or themselves. 
PERSECUTE, v. To pursue with malignity ; to tease. L. persecutus, 

part, of persequor ,• from per, through, and sequor, to follow. 
PERSEVERE, v. To persist. L. persevero, from per, through, and 

severus, serious, steady. 



PER— PHA 

PERSIST, v. To persevere. L. persisto ; from per, through, and state, 
to continue. 

PERSPECTIVE, s. View ; the science by which objects are properly 
delineated. F. perspectif: L. perspectus, p. part, of perspicio ; per, 
through, and specio, to see. 

PERSPICACITY, s. Quickness of sight. L. perspicax, quick-sighted; 
from per, through, and specio, to see. 

PERSPICUITY, s. Clearness of discourse or writing. L. perspicuitas ; 
from per, through, and specio, to see. 

PERSPIRE, v. To pass through the pores of the skin. L. from per, 
through, and spiro, to breathe, or exhale. 

PERSUADE, v. To influence by argument or expostulation ; to bring 
to any particular opinion. L. persuadeo ,- per, through, and suadeo, 
to advise. 

PERTAIN, v. To belong. L. pertineo; from per, by, and teneo, t» 
hold. 

PERTINACIOUS, adj. Obstinate ; resolute. L. pertinax ,- from per, 
by, and teneo, to hold. 

PERTINENT, adj. Suiting the purpose. L. pertinens. See PER- 
TAIN. 

PERTURB, v. To disquiet ; to disturb ; to disorder. L. perturbo,- per, 
through, and turbo, to disorder: turba, a crowd. 

PERUSE, v. To read. L. from per, through, and usus, part, of utor, 
to use or be conversant with. 

PERVADE, v. To extend throughout. L. pervado; from per, through, 
and vado, to march, or move. 

PERVERSE, adj. Perverted ; stubborn. F. pervers. See PERVER- 
SION. 

PERVERSION, s. The act of perverting. F. perversion: L. perversus, 
p. part, of perverto. See PERVERT. 

PERVERT, v. To turn from the original or proper design. L. per- 
verto ; from per, across, and verto, to turn. 

PERVIOUS, adj. Admitting a passage. L. pervius ,- from per, through, 
and via, a way. 

PEST. s. Plague ; something teasing. F. peste : L. pestis, infection, 
mischief. 

PESTIFEROUS, adj. Pestilential ; destructive ; infectious. L. from 
pestis, a pest, or infection, and fero, to carry. 

PETAL. 5. The leaf of a flower. G. petalon, a leaf. 

PETIT, or PETTY, adj. A petit jury consists of twelve, and is of in- 
ferior rank to a grand jury. F. petit, small. 

PETITION, s. Request ; prayer. L. petiiio ,- from peto, to ask. 

PETIT-MAITRE. s. A coxcomb ; a beau. F. petit, little, and maiire, 
a master. 

PETHIFY. v. To change to stone. L. petra, a rock, and Jio, to be- 
come. 

PETTY, adj Small ; mean. See PETIT. 

PETULANT, adj. Quickly and suddenly impatient; saucy; perverse, 
L. petulans ,• from peto, to seek. 

PHANTASM, s. Something appearing only in the imagination. G, 
phantasma ; from phaino, to appear. 



£ PHA— PHT 

PHANTASMAGORIA, s. An optical exhibition of figures resembling 
the supposed form of spectres, &c. by means of a sort of magic lan- 
tern. G. phantasma, a spectre, and agora, an assembly. 

PHANTOM, s. The appearance of a thing otherwise than what it is ; 
a false apparition. F. phantome ,• from G. phaino, to appear. 

PHARMACEUTIC, or PHARMACEUTICAL, adj. Relating to phar- 
macy. G. pharmakeutikos. See PHARMACY. 

PHARMACOPOEIA, s. A dispensatory ; a book containing rules for 
the composition of medicines. G. pharmakon, medicine, and poieo, 
to make. 

PHARMACY, s. The art of preparing medicines. C. pharmakon, a 
medicine. 

PHASES. 5. Appearances exhibited by any body; as the changes of 
the moon. G. phasis, an appearance. 

PHENOMENON, s. Appearance ; extraordinary appearance. G. 
phainomerwn ,■ from phainornai, to appear. 

PHILANTHROPY, s. Love of mankind. G. phileo, to love, and an- 
thropos, a man. 

PHILIPPIC, s. An invective declamation: — from the speeches of De- 
mosthenes against Philip, king of Macedon. 

PHILOLOGY, s. Grammatical learning ; criticism. G. phileo, to love, 
and logos, a word, — meamng, language. 

PHILOMEL, s. A nightingale. G. Philomela, a Grecian female, who 
is fabulously related to have been changed into a bird. 

PHILOSOPHY, s. Knowledge, natural or moral; study of nature, &c 
G. and L. pkilosophia : G. phileo, to love, soph/' a, wisdom. 

PHILTER, s. Something to excite love. G.philtron,- from phileo } 
to love. 

PHLEBOTOMY, s. The science or practice of bleeding. G. phlebo- 
tomia : phlebos, gen. ofphleps, a vein, and temno, to cut. 

PHLEGM, s. Watery humour of the body, supposed to produce slug- 
gishness. G. phlegrna ,• pklego,' to burn. 

PHLEGMATIC, adj. Abounding in phlegm; generating phlegm 
dull. G. pMegmatikos. See PHLEGM.' 

PHLOGISTON, s. An exploded chemical name for an imaginary sub 
stance, thought to be a constituent part of ail inflammable bodies. 
G. phlogizo, to burn. 

PHOSPHORUS, s. A chemical substance, which ignites when expos- 
ed to the air. G. phos, ' <i=t, nvAphero, to bring; 

PHRASE, s. An expression , a mode of speech. G. phrasis,- phrazo. 
to speak. 

PHRASEOLOGY, s. Style ; diction. G. phrazo, to speak, and logos, 
a word. 

PHRENETIC, adj. G. See FRENETIC. 

PHRENOLOGY, s. The fallacious science, which pretends to teach 
the discovery of the passions and affections of the mind, by inspect- 
ing the human skull. G. phren, the mind, and logos, a word, or 
discourse. 

PHREN^Y. s. G. See FRENZY. 

PHTHISICAL, adj. Consumptive. See PHTHISIS. 

PHTHISIS, s. A consumption. G. phthisis ,- from phthio, to waste. 






PHY— PLA 

PHYLACTERY, s. A bandage worn by the Jews, on which was in- 
scribed some remarkable sentence, as a charm. G. phulacterion ; 
phuluke, a guardian. 

PHYSIC. s. The science of healing- ; medicine. G. phusike, natural 
philosophy: phusis, nature. 

PHYSICAL, adj. Relating to nature or to physic ; relating to natural 
power. See PHYSIC. 

PHYSICS, s. The study of nature. See PHYSIC. 

PHYSIOGNOMY, s. The fallacious science of discovering the passions 
in the features of the face. G. phusiognomonia • from phusis, nature, 
and ginosko, to know. 

PHYSIOLOGY, s. The doctrine of the constitution of the works of na- 
ture. G. phusis, nature, and logos, a description. 

PICTURE, s. A delineated resemblance. L. pictura ,- from pictus, p. 
part, of pingo, to paint. 

PIGMENT, s. Paint. L. pigmentum ; from pingo, to paint. 

PIGMY, s. A diminutive person. Derived from a nation of dwarfs, re- 
corded by the ancients. L. pygmeeus : G. pugmaios ; from pugme, 
a measure of length from the fist to the elbow. 

PILOSITY. s. Hairiness. L. pilosus, hairy : pilus, hair. 

PIQUANT, adj. Sharp or pungent ; severe. F. piquant, part, of 
piquer, to pierce. 

PIQUE, s. Ill will ; offence taken. F. pique,- piquer, to pierce. 

PIRATE, s. A sea-robber. L. pirata: G. peirates ; from peirazo, to 
try, or to seize. 

PISCES, s. A sign of the zodiac. L. pisces,\A. of piscis, a fish. 

PISCIVOROUS, adj. Living on fish. L. piscis, a fish, and voro, to 
devour. 

PISCARY, s. Common of piscary, is the right of fishing in another 
man's waters. L. piscis, a fish. 

PISCOLOGY. s. A description of the several sorts of fish. L. piscis, 
a fish, and logos, a word, or discourse. 

PITTANCE, s. A very small portion. F. pitance, an allowance for 
one meal in a monastery. 

PIVOT. 5. A pin on which any thing turns. F. pivot, a hinge or axis. 

PLACARD, s. An advertisement placed against a wall, &c. F. pla- 
card; from placer, to place. 

PLACID- adj. Gentle ; kind. L. placidus ,• from placeo, to please. 

PLAGIARY, s. A thief in literature ; one who steals the thoughts or 
writings of another. L. plagiarius : G. plagiarios ; from plagios, 
obi. que, sly. 

PLANET, s. One of the heavenly bodies which move around the sun. 
L. planeta .• G. planao, to wander. 

PLANIMETRY, s. Mensuration of plane surfaces. L. planus, a plane, 
and G. metreo, to measure. 

PLANISPHERE, s. A map of one or both hemispheres, drawn on a 
flat surface. L. planus, level, and sphaira, a. sphere. 

PLANOCONVEX, adj. Flat on one side, and round on the other. L. 
planus, level, and. convexus, crooked, or arched. 

PLASTER, s. An adhesive composition. F. pldtre: G. plasso, to form. 

PLASTIC, adj. Having the power to give form. G. plastikos ,■ from 
plasso, to form. 



PLA— PLU 

PLATONIC, adj. Platonic love is purely mental ; not 9ensual. Plato, 

the Athenian philosopher, 
PLAUDIT, s. Loud applause. L. plaudo, to make a nobe by clap- 

PLAUSIBLE, adj. Such as gams approbation 5 right in appearance ; 

specious. Uptausibilis. ' See PLAUDIT. 
PLEASURE, s. Delight? gratification; loose gratification; approbation; 

choice. L. placeo. to please, 
PLEBEIAN, adj. Relating or belonging to the common people ; vul- 
gar. L. pleta. the common people. 
PLEIADES, s. A northern constellation. G. Pleiades ,- a name given 

to seven daughters of Atlas, who are fabulously related to have 

been placed in the heavens, after d^-ath. 
PLENARY adj. Full ; without any exception. L. plenus, full. 
PLENIPOTENTIARY, s. A negotiator invested with full power to 

conclude a treaty. F. plenipotentiare : L. plenus, full, and potentia, 

p-wer. 
PLENITUDE. 5. Fulness; completeness. F. plenitude: L. plenitude; 

pi&im full. 

PLENTY, s. Sufficiency. L. plenus, full. 

PLEONASM, s. The using of more words than are necessary. L. 
pleonasmus .• G. pleonazo, to abound. 

PLETHORA, s. Injurious abundance of the humours in the human 
vessels. G. plethora ,■ from pleihos, abundance. 

PLEURISY, s. An inflammatory disorder near the breast. G. pleura, 
a membrane which girds or surrounds the ribs. 

PLIABLE, adj. Flexible. F. pliable,- from plier, to bend. 

PLIERS, s. An instrument used for bending wire, &c. F. plier, to 
bend. 

PLFNTH. s. A fiat, square member, which serves as a foundation to 
the base of a pillar ; a square projection at the bottom of a wall. G. 
plinthos, a tile. 

PLUMAGE, s. Feathers. See PLUME. 

PLUMB, s. A plummet ; a leaden weight suspended to a cord, in 
order to mark a line perpendicular to the horizon.— adj. Perpendi- 
cular to the horizon. L. plumbum, lead. 

PLUME, s. A feather ; a bunch of feathers. L. pluma, a feather. 

PLUME, v. To adorn with plumes ; to feel pride. See the substan- 
tive. When it is said that a man plumes himself, it is figuratively 
denoting that he dresses himself in gaudy feathers, as a reward of 
his assumed merit. 

PLUMIGEROUS. adj. Feathered. L. pluma, a feather, and gero, to 
cany. 

PLUMMET, s. A leaden weight, suspended to a cord, to ascertain 
depth and perpendicularity. See PLUMB. 

PLUPERFECT, adj. The name of a grammatical tense. L. plus, 
more, and perfect. 

PLURAL, adj. Implying more than one. L. pluralis; from pluris, 
gen. of plus, more. 

PLURALITY, s. A number more than one ; majority. See PLURAL. 

PLUS. More ; opposed to minus. L. 



PLU— POP 

PLUVIOMETER, s. An instrument for showing the quantity of rain 
that falls. L. pluvia, rain, and G. metreo, to measure. 

PNEUMATICS, s. The science of the density and pressure of the at- 
mosphere. G. pneuma, wind. 

POACHER, s. One who steals game. F. poche, a pocket or bag". 

POEM. s. The work of a poet ; a metrical composition. L. po'e'ma : 
G. poiema. See POET. 

POET. s. An author of fiction, generally in measured verses or rhyme. 
L. poeia .• G. poieo, to do, or invent. 

POIGNANT, adj. Sharp ; painful. F. poignant : L, pungo, to prick. 

POIGNARD. s. A sort of dagger. F. poignard,- from the L. pungo, 
to prick. 

POiNT, s. The sharp end ; moment ; grammatical stop ; degree, &c. 

F. point .- L. punctus or punctum, from pungo, to prick. 
POLEMICAL, adj. Controversial. G. polemikos ; from polemos, war. 
POLICE, s. The regulation or government of a city or country, so far 

as respects the inhabitants ; a guard under the orders of the police 

government. F. police: G. polls, a city. 
POLICY, s. The art of government 5 prudence ; management of 

affairs ; stratagem. See POLICE. 
POLISH, v. To make smooth and bright; to make elegant in manners, 

L. polio, to make smooth. 
POLITE, adj. Elegant in manners; refined. L. politus, p. part, of po- 
lio. See POLISH. 
POLITICAL, adj. Relating- to national affairs. G. politikos ,- polls, a 

city or state. 
POLLUTE, v. To defile; to corrupt. L. polluo, to infect; from G. polu, 

much, and L. lues, pestilence or blight. 
POLYGAMY, s. Pluralityofwiv.es. G. polugamia ; from polus, many, 

and gameo, to marry. 
POLYGLOT, s. A book which has many languages. G. poluglottos ; 

from polus, many, and gloita, a tongue. 
POLYGON, s. A figure of many angles. G. polus, many, and gonia, 

a corner, or angle. 
POLYGRAM, s. A figure consisting of many lines. G. polus, many, 

and gramme, a line. 
POLYPUS, s. Signifies, in general, any thing with many roots, or feet. 

It is used to denote also a particular excrescence of the nose. G. po- 

lupous ; polus, many, and pous, a foot. 
POLYSYLLABLE, s. A word containing more than three syllables. 

G. polus, many, and syllable, 

POLYTECNIC*. adj. A polytecnic school is an institution where many 

sciences are taught. G. polus, many, and techne, an art or science. 
POLYTHEIST s. One who believes in a plurality of gods. G. polus, 

many, and tlieos, a god. 
POMP. s. Splendour; pride. L. pompa: G. pompe ; from pempo, to 

send forth. 
PONDER, v. To consider. L. pondero, to weigh. 
PONDEROUS, adj. Heavy. L. ponderosus ,- pondus, a load. 
PONTON, s. A military bridge. F. ponton .- L. pons, a bridge. 
POPULACE, s. The common people. F. populace .• L. populus, the 

people. 

P 



POP— POS 

POPULAR, adj. Suitable to the common people; beloved by the peo- 
ple. L. papillaris ; from populus, the people. 

POPULOUS, adj. Thickly inhabited. L. papulosus ,• from populus, a 
people. 

PORCELAIN, s. Fine earthen-ware. F. porcelaine ; from the Portu- 
guese, porcellana, a cup. 

PORE. s. Spiracle of the skin ; passage of perspiration ; any narrow 
spiracle or hole. G. poros, a passage. 

PORE. v. To inspect with minute attention. Derived from the noun; 
meaning, to look into the smallest cavity, or examine for the least 
defect, &c. 

PORT. 5. A harbour for ships, made convenient for receiving and dis- 
charging merchandise. L. partus: — (an aperture for cannon: porta, 
a gate:) from porto, to carry. 

PORTABLE, adj. That may be easily earned. F. portabilis : from 
portoy to carry. 

PORTAGE, s. Price of carriage ; land-road, between two navigable 
waters. F. portage : L. porto, to carry. 

PORTCULLIS, s. A gate, in a fortified place, suspended in a groove. 
F. portcoulisse : port, a gate, and coulisse, a groove : couler, to glide. 

PORTEND, v. To give notice, by some appearance. L. portendo ': 
from porto, to carry: that is, to carry a sign. 

PORTER, s. A common carrier. L. porto, to carry: a gate-keeper ; 
porta, a gate. See PORT. 

PORTFOLIO, s. A case for large papers. L. porto, to carry, and fo- 
lium, a leaf. See FOLIO. 

PORTION, s. A part ; a share. F. portion : L. portio : partio, to 
divide. 

PORTLY, adj. Stately. L. porto, to carry ; meaning to carry or hold 
the person erectly. 

PORTMANTEAU, s. A bag for carrying clothes. F. portmanteau : 
from porter, to carry, and manteau, a cloak. 

PORTRAIT, s. A picture, generally of a human being. F. portrait. 
See PORTRAY. 

PORTRAY, v. To describe by picture. F. portraire : pour, for, and 
L. traho, to draw. 

POSITION, s. Situation ; posture ; principle laid down. L. positio : 
from positus, p. part, of pono, to place. 

POSITIVE, adj. Absolutely fixed ; dogmatical. L. posilivus : from 
pono. See POSITION. 

POSSE', s. An attendant crowd ; a vulgar abbreviation of posse comi- 
tatus. 

POSSE C0M1TATUS. The power of the inhabitants of a county ; 
which the sheriff is authorized to call forth, when opposition is made 
to the execution of justice. L. posse, (infin. of possum,) to have the 
power, comitatus, of the county. 

POSSESSION, s. The state of having in one's own hands or power ; 
property. L. possessio : from possessus, p. part, of possideo, to pos- 
sess: potis, able, and sedeo, to sit. 

POSSIBLE, adj. Practicable. L. possibilis : fvom posse, to be able, 
to have power. 



POS— PRJE 

POST. s. Station; employment; office; a hasty messenger, who has the 
advantage of horses, placed at convenient stations ; quick manner 
of traveling ; (a piece of timber, &c. set upright; L. postis.) F. 
poste .- L. positus, p. part, of pono, to place. 

POSTDATE, v. To date after the real time. L. post, after, and date. 

POSTDILUVIAN, adj. After the Flood. L. post, after, and diluvium, 
a deluge. 

POSTERIOR, adj. Subsequent; hinder. L. posterior: from post, 
after. 

POSTERITY, s. Succeeding generations. L. posteritas s from post 9 
after, and fiasres, an heir. 

POSTERN, s. A back-gate ; a little private gate or door. L. post, 
behind. 

POSTHUMOUS, adj. After death. L. posthumus : from post, after, 
and hurao, to bury: humo is from humus, earth. 

POSTILLION, s. One who guides the leading horses of a post-chaise; 
one who guides a post-chaise. F. postilion. See POST. 

POSTMERIDIAN, or P. M. adj. After noon. L. post, after, and me- 
ridian. 

POST MORTEM. After death. L. post, after, mortem, accus. of 
mors, death. 

POST OBIT. A post-obit bond is that which promises payment of 
money after the death of a certain person; generally by his heir. L. 
post, after, obit, he dies: from obeo. 

POSTPONE, v. To place after (with to) ; to adjourn ; to delay. L. 
postpono : comp. of post, after, and pono, to place. 

POSTSCRIPT, or P. S. s. A paragraph added to the end of a letter, 
&c. L. post, after, and scriptus, p. part, of scribo, to write. 

POSTULATE, s. A position supposed or assumed without proof. L. 
postulatus, part, of postulo, to will, or demand. 

POSTURE, s. State ; position. F. posture .• L. positura. See POSI- 
TION. 

POTABLE, adj. Such as may be drunk. L. potabilis : from poto, to 
drink. 

POTATION, s. Draught ; species of drink. L. potatio : poto, to 
drink. 

POTENT, adj. Having power ; strong ; efficacious. L. potens, part, 
of possum, to be able. 

POTENTATE, s. A sovereign. F. potentat. See POTENT. 

POTENTIAL, adj. The potential mood denotes the power or possibi- 
lity of acting. L. potentialis. See POTENT. 

POUND, s. In law, an inclosure for the safe keeping of cattle distrain- 
ed: from the L. ponendo, abl. gerund of pono, to put or place. 

POVERTY, s. Indigence; meagerness. F. pauvrete: L. pauper, poor. 

PRACTICAL, adj. Relating to action ; not theoretical. See PRAC- 
TICE. 

PRACTICE, s. Use ; custom ; habit ; performance ; medical treat- 
ment ; professional employment. L. pradicus, practical: G. prak* 
tike : prasso, to act. 

PRJECOGNITJ1. s. Things previously known. L. prse, before, and 
cognitus, p. part, of cognosco, to know. 



PRA— PRE 

PRAGMATIC, adj. Meddling" ; intrusive. F. pragmatique : G. prag- 
ma, business. 
PRAVITY. s. Badness of heart ; malignity ; corruption. L. pravitas : 

from pravus, crooked, wicked. 
PREAMBLE, s. Preface. F. preambuk: L. prae, before, and ambulo., 

to walk. 
PREBENDARY, s. A stipendiary of a cathedral. L. prebendarius : 

from prssbeQ) to allow. 
PRECARIOUS, adj. Dependent ; uncertain, because depending- on 

the will of another. L. precarlus .• from precor, to supplicate. 
PRECAUTION, s. Preventive measure. L. prae, before, and caution. 
PRECEDE, v. To go before. L. praecedo : comp. of prae, before, and 

cedo, to go. 
PRECEDENT, s. A rule or example to future times. L. praecedens, 

part, oi praecedo. See PRECEDE. 
PRECENTOR, s. Leader of a choir. L. praecentor : from prascinor, te 

sing before: comp. of prae, before, and cano, to sing. 
PRECEPT, s. Rule; commandment. L. praeceptum : fvom prae, be- 
fore, and capio, to take or design. 
PRECEPTOR, s. A teacher. L. prseceptor. See PRECEPT. 
PRECESSION, s. The act of preceding. F. precession.- L. praecessus, 

part, of praecedo. See PRECEDE. 
PRECINCT, s. Boundary ; suburb. L. praecinctus : from praecingo, 

to enclose. 
PRECIOUS, adj. Of great price; valuable. L. pretiosus : from pre- 

tium, a price. 
PRECIPICE, s. A perpendicular declivity. L. praecipitium. See 

PRECIPITATE. 
PRECIPITATE, v. To throw head-foremost ; to fall head-foremost j 

toJhurry forward. L. praecipito: prae, before, and caput, the head. 
PRECISE, adj. Exact ; formal. L. praecisus, p. part, of praecido, to 

pare off: prae, before, and caedo, to cut. 
PRECLUDE, v. To shut out, or hinder. L. praecludo,- from prae, be- 
fore, and cluudo, to shut. 
PRECLUSION, s. Act of precluding ; state of being precluded. L. 

praeclusus, p. part, of praecludo. See PRECLUDE. 
PRECOCITY, s. Early maturity. L.praecox: from prae, before, and 

coquo, to boil, or ripen. 
PRECOGNITION, s. Previous knowledge. L. prae, before, and cog- 

nition. 
PRECONCEIVE, v. To conceive previously. L. prae, before, and 

conceive. 
PRECURSOR, s. Forerunner. L. praeeursor ,• from prae, before, and 

curro, to run. 
PREDAL. adj. Plundering. L. praeda, plunder. 
PREDATORY, adj. Plundering ; ravenous. L. prazdatorius • from 

praeda, plunder. 
PREDECESSOR, s. One that preceded another. F. predecesseur .• L, 

prae, before, and decessus, part, of decedo, to depart. 
PREDESTINATE, v. To appoint beforehand, L. prae s before, and 

destino, to design. 



PRE— PRE 

PREDETERMINE, v. To determine previously. L. prse, before, and 

determine. 

PREDIAL, adj. Consisting" of farms ; the produce of a farm. L. pr& 
dium, a farm. 

PREDICATE, v. To affirm any thing of another thing. L. prsedico : 
from prse, before, and dico, to say. 

PREDICT, v. To foretel. L. prsedidum, sup. of prsedico: from prse, 
before, and dico, to say. 

PREDOMINANT, adj. Having the ascendancy ; prevalent. F. pre- 
dominant i L. prse, before, and dominant. 

PRE-EMINENT, adj. Supremely eminent. L. prse, before, and emi- 
nent. 

PRE-EMPTION, s. The right of purchasing before another. L. prse, 
before, and emptio, a purchasing: empius, p. part, of emo, to pur- 
chase. 

PRE-EXIST, v. To exist previously. L. prse, before, and exist. 

PREFACE, s. Introductory discourse. L. prsefatio : from prse, before-, 
and fatus, part, of for, to speak. 

PREFATORY, adj. Introductory. L. See PREFACE. 

PREFECT, s. A governor ; a commander. L. p-sefectus ; from prse* 
jitio, to put in authority: prse, before, and j ado, to make. 

PREFER, v. To regard more than another ; to advance. L. prsefero t 
from prse, before, and/ero, to bring or carry. 

PREFIX, v. To place before. L. from prse, before, and fix. 

PREGNANT, adj. With young ; teeming ; full. F. pregnant :- L, 
prsegnans : prse, before, and gigno, to engender, or bring forth. 

PREJUDGE, v. To judge previously, without waiting for proper evi- 
dence. L. prse, before, and judge. 

PREJUDICE, s. Judgment formed without examination; (injury: but 
tliis sense is improper ;} L. prsejudidum ; from prse, before, and 
judidum, judgment. 

PRELATE, s. An ecclesiastic of the highest order. L. prselatus ? 
from prse, before, and lotus, part, of feror, to be borne. 

PRELIMINARY, adj. Introductory. L. prse, before, and Umen> & 
threshold or entrance. 

PRELUDE, s. Introductory entertainment; precursor. L. prseludivm? 
from prse, before, and ludo, to play. 

PREMATURE, adj* Unfinished ; immature. L. prsematurus ; from 
prse, before, and maturus, ripe. 

PREMEDITATE, v. To think upon previously ; to design. L. prse, 
before, and meditate. 

PREMIER, s. A chief ; a prime minister- F. premier; L. primus^ 
first. 

PREMISE, v. To make a previous explanation, or proposition* L> 
prse, before, and missum, sup. oimitio, to send. 

PREMISES, s. Propositions antecedently supposed or proved ; also<> 
by a perversion of language, house, or lands. See PREMISE. 

PREMIUM, s. Something given to invite a loan or bargain - r a reward* 
L. prsemium. See PROEM. 

PRE-OCCUPY. v. To occupy previously. L. prse, before, and occupy. 

PREPARE, v. To make ready. L. prseparo .- from prse % before^ and 
paro % to make or shape. 

P2 



PRE— PRE 

PREPENSE, adj. Preconceived 5 contrived before-hand ; as malice 

prepense. L. prsepensus : prse, before, and pens us, p part, of r.endo, 

to weigh or deliberate on. 
PREPONDERATE, v. To outweigh ; to overpower by superior influ- 
ence. L. prsepondero : prse, before, and pondero, to weigh. 
PREPOSITION, s. In grammar, an indeclinable word, g-overning a 

case. L. prsepositio : from prse, before, and positus, p. part, ofpono, 

to place. 
PREPOSITIVE, adj. In grammar, signifies placed before ; and, in 

this sense, is opposed to subjunctive. L. prsepositus, p. part, of 

prsepono. See PREPOSITION. 
PREPOSSESS, v. To impress an opinion before due examination ; t» 

prejudice. L. prse, before, and possess. 
PREPOSTEROUS, adj. Having that first, which ought to be last ;. 

perverted; absurd. L. prseposterus : prse, before, and posterus, the 

following: post, after. 
PREROGATIVE, s. Peculiar privilege ; something required or de- 
manded before, or in preference to, all others. L. praerogativa .- 

from prse, before, and rogo, to demand or propose: — alluding to a 

privilege enjoyed by some persons in Rome, of giving their votes 

the first. 
PRESAGE, s. Prognostic. L. prsesagium : from prse, before, and 

sagax, quick-scented, or cunning. 
PRESBYTERIAN, s. An advocate for the government of the church 

by presbyteries, composed of elders. G. presbuteros, an elder. 
PRESCIENCE, s. Foreknowledge. L. prsesciens, part, of prsescio .- 

from, prse, before, and scio, to know. 
PRESCRIBE, v. To order ; to direct, &c. L. p'rsescribo : from prse, 

before, and seribo, to write, or appoint. 
PRESCRIPTION, s. Custom which has become law; medical recipe. 

L. prsescriptto. See PRESCRIBE. 
PRESENT, adj. Not absent.; not past, nor future. F. present : L- 

prsesens, part, of prsesum ; comp. of prse, before, (meaning in pre- 
sence of,.) and sum, I am. 
PRESENT'', v. To place in the presence of; to exhibit to view or no- 
, tice ; to offer as a gift. See the adjective. 
PRES'ENT. s. A complimentary gift; pi. presents, things written, and 

presented or offered in the manner of evidence, — as in a lease, &c. 

See the verb. 
PRESERVE, v. To keep with care ; to save ; to prepare fruits, &c» 

so that they may be kept from spoiling. L. prseservo; comp. of 

prse, before,, and serve, to keep,. 
PRESIDE, v. To sit as president. L. prsesideo : from prse, before, 

ami sedeo, to sit. 
PRESIDENT, s. One who presides, or occupies the highest place, 

E. prsesidens, part, of prsesideo. See PRESIDE. 
PRESS, v. To squeeze ; to crush ; to distress ;. to constrain ; to urge, 

&c. F. presser .• L. presms, p. part, ofpremo, to press. 
PRESUME, v. To assume before permission, or proof. L. prsesumo. 

from prse, before, and sumo, to take. 
PRESUMPTION, s. Assumption without permission. L. prsesumptus, 

p. part, of prsesumo. See PRESUME. 



PRETEND, v. To make a false representation ; to claim. L. prse- 
tendo : from prse, before, and tendo, to stretch forth [something- as a 
deception.] 

PRETERIMPERFECT. adj. An irrational term, applied, by some 
grammarians, to one of the past tenses. L. prseter, beside, and im- 
perfect. 

PRETERIT, adj. Past. L. prseteritus, p. part, ofprsetereo; from prse- 
ter, beside, and eo, to go. 

PRETERNATURAL, adj. Not natural ; miraculous. L. prseter, more 
than, and natural. 

PRETERPERFECT. adj. An irrational term, applied, by some gram- 
marians, to one of the past tenses. L. prseter, beside, and perfect. 

PRETERPLUPERFECT. adj. An irrational term, applied, by some 
grammarians, to one of the past tenses. L. prseter, beside, and plu- 
perfect. 

PRETEXT, s. Pretence. L. prsetextus, p. part, of prsetexo, to cloak 
or cover: prse, before, and tectus, p. part, oftego, to cover. 

PREVAIL, v. To overcome ; (with on, over, or against,) to predomi- 
nate ; to have influence. L. prsevaleo : from prse, before, and valeo, 
to be strong. 

PREVALENT, adj. Predominant ; common. L. prse'valens, part, of 
prsevaleo. See PREVAIL. 

PREVARICATE, v. To vary in giving evidence. L. prevaricor : from 
prse, concerning, and vario, to vary. 

PREVENT, v. To obstruct. L. prseventum, 6up. of prsevenio ; prse, 
before, and venio, to come. 

PREVIOUS, adj. Antecedent. L. prsevius : p)-se, before, and via, a 
way ; that is, being before another, in proceeding*/ 

PRIMA FACIE. On the first view ; without referring to any thing- 
subsequently. L. prima, on the first, facie, face, or figure : primus, 
and fades. 

PRIMATE, s. The chief bishop. L. primas : horn primus, first. 

PRIME, adj. The first ; the best. L. primus, first. 

PRIME, v. To put powder into the pan of # a gun ; to lay on the first 
paint. See the adjective. 

PRIMER, s. A child's school-book. L. primus, first. 

PRIMEVAL, adj. Such as was at first. L. primsevus : from primus, 
first, and sevum, an age, 

PRIMITIVE, adj. Original; ancient; uncompounded. L. primitivus : 
primus, first. 

PRIMOGENITURE, s. Seniority. F '. primogeniture : la. primus, first, 
and geiutus, begotten. 

PRIMORDIAL, adj. Original. L. primordium, the beginning ; from 
primus, first, and ordo, a rule. 

PRIMROSE, s. An early flower. L. primus, first, and rose. 

PRIMUM MOBILE'. That which gives motion to all the other 
parts. L. primum, the first, mobile, moved: primus and mobilis. 

PRINCE, s. A sovereign; son of a king. F. prince: L. princeps^ 
first, chief: primus, first, and capio, to take. 

PRINCIPAL, adj. Chief; essential ; important. F. principal: L. 
principalis. See PRINCIPLE. 



PRI— PRO 

PRINCIPLE, NQN HOMINES. Principles, not men ? the motto 

chosen by Mr. Monroe, when elected president of the United States. 
PRINCIPLE, s. Element ; constituent part ; rule ; moral guide. F. 

principe: L. principium : principis, g-en. of princeps, first, original: 

primus, first, and capio, to take. 
PRINT, v. To mark by pressing ; to use the art of typography, &c« 

L. imprimo : in, into, or upon, and premo, to press. 
PRIOR, adj. Former ; anterior. L. prior, the former. 
PRIORITY, s. Precedence, in time or place. See PRIOR. 
PRISON, s. A jail. F. prison : pris, part, of prendre, to seize. 
PRISTINE, adj. Ancient 5 former. L. pristinus : prior, the former. 
PRIVATE, adj. Retired ; secret ; individual. L. privatus, p. part, of 

privo, to take away. 
PRIVATION, s. Removal of something desired. L. privatio : from 

privo, to take away. 
PRIVILEGE, s. Peculiar advantage ; something, of which others are 
. deprived ; private right. F. privilege .• L. privilegium : privus, par- 
ticular, and legis, gen. of lex, a law. See PRIVATE. 
PRIVITY, s. Private communication ; private concurrence. F. pri- 

vauU. See PRIVY. 
PRIVY, adj. Private ; secret ; admitted to secrets of state, (as the 

privy council ;) F. privi. See PRIVATE. 
PRIZE, s. A reward gained by a contest with competitors ; a vessel 

or merchandise captured at sea ; gain in a lottery. F. prix, or prise, 

from prendre, to take. 
PRO AND CON. A vulgar abbreviation of pro and contra, for and 

against. 
PROBABLE, adj. Apparently true. L. probabilis : from probo, to 

prove or allow. 
PROBATE, s. Proof of a will. L. probatus: from probo, to prove, or 

allow. 
PROBATIONER, s. One who is upon trial ; a novice. L. probatio, 

a trial ; from probo, to prove. 
PROBATORY, adj. Serving for trial. L. probo, to prove. 
PROBE, v. To examine a deep wound with an instrument. L. probo, 

to try. 
PROBITY, s. Honesty ; veracity. L. probitas : from probatus, (p. 

part, of probo,) proved. 
PROBLEM, s. A question proposed. G. problema : probalh, to pro- 
pose: pro, before, and ballo, to throw. 
PRO BONO PUBLICO. For public benefit. L. 
PROCEED, v. To move forward ; to act 5 to issue. L. procedo .• from 

pro, forward, and cedo, to go. 
PROCESS, s. Progressive course ; operation ; course of law. F. pro- 

ces : L. processus .- from procedo. See PROCEED. 
PROCESSION, s. A train moving in ceremonious solemnity. F. pro* 

cession: L. processio. See PROCESS. 
PROCLAIM, v. To make public. L. proclamo : pro, before, and 

clamo, to call. 
PROCONSUL, s. A deputy consul. L. pro, for, and consul. 
PROCRASTINATE, v. To defer through idleness. L. procrastinor ~ 

from pro, for, eras, to-morrow, and teneo, to hold. 



PRO— PRO 

PROCREATE, v. To generate 5 to produce. L. procreo : pro, for- 
ward, and creo, to create. 

PROCTOR, s. A manager of another's affairs; an attorney of the spir- 
itual court ; the magistrate of a university. L. procurator. See 
PROCURE. 

PROCURATION, s. Power given to transact business for another. L. 
procuratio. See PROCURE. 

PROCURE, v. To obtain ; to cause. L. procuro : from pro, for, and 
euro, to take care of. 

PRODIGAL, adj Lavish. L. prodigus : from prodigo, to drive forth : 
pro, before, and ago, to drive or act. 

PRODIGY, s. Something out of the ordinary course of nature. L. pro- 
dig! um. — This word seems to have an affinity with prodigal. 

PRODUCE, v. To exhibit ; to bring forth. L. produco : from pro, 
signifying- forward, and duco, to bring. 

PRO'DUCE. s. That which any thing yields, of a material nature. It 
is different in its meaning from product, which is an arithmetical re- 
sult. See the verb. 

PRODUCT, s. Result; sum; of an arithmetical, rather than of a ma- 
terial kind. It is used in a different sense froiri produce, which is a 
material residt. L. productus, p. part, of produco. See PRODU'CE. 

PRODUCTION, s. The act of producing ; the thing produced ; pro- 
duce. F. production. See PRODUCT. 

PROEM, s. Preface ; introduction. Old F. pro'eme : L. prooemium ; 
G. prooimion • pro, hefore. and oime, a way. 

PROFANE, adj. Irreverent to sacred things; not sacred. L. prof anus.- 
pro, before, and fanum, a temple. 

PROFESS, v. To declare openly ; to follow as a profession. L. pro- 
fessus, part, ofprqfiteor : i'rompro, before, and fateor, to confess. 

PROFICIENT, adj. Highly advanced in the knowledge of any thing. 
L. prqficiens, part, of projicio, to go forward: pro, before, and facio, 
to do. 

PROFIT, s. Gain; pecuniary advantage; accession of good. F. profit : 
L. profectus : from projicio : pro, forward, and facio, to make. 

PROFLIGATE, adj. Abandoned ; completely lost to virtue and de- 
cency. L. profligatus : pro, forward, and yib'gv?, to dash or beat. 

PROFOUND, adj. Very deep ; humble ; intellectually deep. L. pro- 
fundus : pro, before, or far off, and fundus, the bottom. Profound 
may be applied to great learning, by supposing that a scholar has 
examined deeply : and to humility, from the posture in bowing. 

PROFUNDITY. 5. Depth. See PROFOUND. 

PROFUSE, adj. Prodigal; exuberant. L. proj usus, part, of proj undo, 
to pour out. 

PROGENITOR, s. A forefather; a person, either male or female, from 
whom another has descended. L. progenitor .• fromjore, before, and 
geno, to beget. 

PROGENY, s. Offspring. L. progenies : pro, forward, and genus, a 
race. 

PROGNOSTIC, s. Something by which we may foretel; an omen. G. 
prognostikos : pro, before, and ginosko, to know. 

PROGRESS, s. Motion forward ; advancement. L. programs :■ from 
pro, forward, and gressus, part, of gradior, to go: gradus t a step. 



PRO— PRO 

PRO HJC VICE. For this turn ; for the present occasion. L. 

PROHIBIT, v. To forbid ; to hinder. L. prohibeo .• from pro, before, 
and habeo, to have or hold: meaning, some obstruction. 

PROJECT, v. To throw forward ; to jut out ; to contrive. L. pro* 
jedum, sup. of projicio: from pro, before, and jacio, to throw. 

PROLATE, adj. Extended beyond an exact round. L. prolatus, p. 
part. ofprofero, to thrust out.- pro, before, and/ero, to carry. 

PROLEPSIS. s. A form of rhetoric, by which objections are antici- 
pated ; an error in chronology, by which events are dated too early. 
G. prolepsis : pro, before, and lambano, to take. 

PROLIFIC, adj. Fruitful ; productive. F. prolifique : L. proles, a 
race, and facio, to make. 

PROLIX, adj. Long- ; not concise. L. prolixus .■ from pro, and laxus, 
loose. 

PROLOCUTOR, s. Speaker of a convocation. L. prolocutor : from 
pro, for, and hquor, to speak. 

PROLOGOMENA. s. Prefatory matter. G. pi. of prohgomenon. See 
PROLOGUE. 

PROLOGUE, s. Preface ; something- spoken before the beginning of 
a play. G. prologos : from pro, before, and logos, a word. 

PROMENADE, s. A walk ; a place for walking. F. from promener, 
to walk: pro, signifying forward, and mener, to carry, or lead. 

PROMINENT, adj. Projecting ; conspicuous. L. prominens, part, of 
promineo, to jut out. 

PROMISCUOUS, adj. Mingled; confused. L. promiscuus • from pro, 
and misceo, to mix. 

PROMISE, s. Declaration of design ; expectation ; hope. L. promis- 
sum: from pro, before, and mitto, to send: that is, to send out the 
declaration before the performance is accomplished. 

PROMONTORY, s. High land, jutting into the sea ; a cape or head- 
land. L. promontorium : pro, before, and mons, a mountain. 

PROMOTE, v. To forward ; to advance. L. promotum, sup. of pro- 
moveo .- from pro, forward, and moveo, to move. 

PROMPT, adj. Ready; quick; instant. F. prompt: L. promptus, p. 
part, of promo, to draw out, or bring forth. Prompt payment is mo- 
ney drawn out. 

PROMPTER, s. One who aids the memory, as at a theatre. See 
PROMPT. 

PROMULGATE, v. To make public. L. promulgo.- — the primitives 
seem to be pro, before, and vulgus, the common people. 

PRONE, adj. Lying with the face downward, as in the act of wor- 
shiping ; bending downward ; inclined. L. pronus, downward. 

PRONOUN, s. A word used instead of a noun. L. pro, instead of, and 
noun. 

PRONOUNCE, v. To utter; to declare. L. pronuntio .- from pro, be- 
fore, (in presence of.) and nuntio, to tell. 

PROPEL, v. To drive forward. L. propello : from pro, forward, and 
pello, to drive. 

PROPENSITY, s. Strong inclination; desire. L. propensio: from 
propensus, part, of propendeo : pro, forward, and pendeo, to hang. 

PROPER, adj. Peculiar ; not common ; natural; suitable. F. proprt • 
L. proprhtx, peculiar. 



PRO— PRO 

PROPERTY, s. Peculiar quality ; disposition ; thing possessed in 
one's own right. See PROPER. 

PROPHET, s. One who foretels by divine inspiration. G. prophetes : 
from pro, before, and phemi, to say. 

PROPHETIC, or PROPHETICAL, adj. Foreseeing or foretelling fu- 
ture events. See PROPHET. 

PROPITIATE, v. To gain the favour of. L. propitio .• probably from 
prope, near ; because the heathens always solicited their deities to 
be near or present, to give their aid in favour of their designs. 

PROPORTION, s. Comparative relation ; symmetry. L. proportio : 
from pro, according to, andportio, a part: that is, one part agreeing 
with another. 

PROPOSE, v. To offer for consideration. L. propositum, sup. ofpro- 
pono : fromjoro, before, and pono, to place. 

PROPOUND, v. To propose. L. propono. See PROPOSE. 

PROPRIETOR, s. An owner. L. See PROPERTY. 

PROPRIETY. 5. Accuracy ; justness. L. proprietas : from proprius, 
fit. See PROPER. 

PROPULSION, s. Act of propelling. L. propulsus, p. part, of pro- 
pello. See PROPEL. 

PRO RATA. Proportionally; according to a prescribed rate. L. 

PRO RE NATA. For the thing as it arises ; for the occasion as it 
happens. L. \ 

PROROGUE, v. To prorogue a parliament, is to continue it from one 
session to another. L. prorogo, to defer ; from pro, forward, and 
rogo, to desire or request. 

PROSCENIUM, s. The large open space, in front of the scenes of a 
theatre, in which the actors perform their parts. L. comp. of pro, 
before, and scena, a scene. 

PROSCRIBE, v. To doom to destruction ; to forbid. L. proscribo .- 
from pro, concerning, and scribo, to write. 

PROSCRIPTION, s. Act of proscribing. L. proscriptio : proscriptus, 
p. part, of proscribo. See PROSCRIBE. 

PROSE, s. Language not restrained to harmonic sounds or regular 
number of syllables. F. prose: IL.prosa,- from prorsus, straig'ht for- 
ward ; by wav of opposition to versus, (hence verse,) a turning back- 
ward. See VERSE. 

PROSECUTE, v. To pursue ; to continue. L. prosequor : horn pro, 
forward, and sequor, to follow. 

PROSELYTE, s. A convert; one brought over to a new opinion, such 
as from the Jewish or Mahomedan, to the Christian faith. But a 
proselyte must be distinguished from a convert : — the latter conforms 
with the heart ; the former, only by outward action. L. proselytus : 
G. proselutos : from proselchomai, to be come to, or be added to. 

PROSODY, a. That part of grammar which teaches the just sound and 
quantity of syllables, and the measures of verse. G. prosodia : pros, 
for, and ode, a song. 

PROSOPOPOEIA, s. Personification. G. prosopopoiia : from prosopon, 
a person, and poieo, to make. 

PROSPECT, s. View of something distant. L. prospectus : part, of 
prospicio : from pro, forward, and specio, to see. 



PRO— PRO 

PROSPECTIVE, adj. Relating to a distant view. See PROS- 
PECT. 
PROSPECTUS, s. Plan, generally of a proposed literary work. L. 

prospectus. See PROSPECT. 
PROSPER, v. To be successful. L. prospero ,- from pro, according to, 

and spero, to hope or expect. 
PROSTITUTE, v. To expose to crime, or commit sin, for a reward. 

L. prostituo : from pro, forward, and statum, sup. of sto, to stand ; 

meaning, to offer one's services in a public market. 
PROSTRATE, adj. Lying at length ; thrown down. L. prostratus, 

p. part, of prosterno : from pro, before, and sterno, to spread. 
PRO TAN TO. For so much ; for that quantity. L. 
PROTECT, v. To shield 5 to defend. L. protedum, sup. of protego : 

from pro, before, and tego, to cover. 
PRO-TEMPORE. For a time ; not permanently. L. pro, for, tem- 
pore, abl. of tempus, time, or a time. 
PROTEST, v. To record in the manner of a notaiy ; to object. L. 

protestor: from pro, for, and testor, to bear witness: testis, a wit- 
ness. 
PROTHONOTARY. s. Chief notaiy, or register. G. protos, first, and 

notary. 
PROTOMARTYR. s. The first martyr; a term applied to St. Stephen. 

G. protos, first, and MARTYR. 
PROTOTYPE, s. The original. F prototype : G. prototupon : from 

protos, first, and tupos, a mark, or form. 
PROTRACT, v. To lengthen ; to prolong a continuation ; to delay. 

L. protractum, sup. of protrako : from pro, forward, and traho, to 

draw. 
PROTRUDE, v. To thrust forward. L. protrude .• from pro, before, 

and trudo, to thrust. 
PROTRUSION, s. Act of protruding. L. protrusus, p. part, of pro- 

trudo. See PROTRUDE. 
PROTUBERANCE, s. A swelling ; prominence. L. pro, before, (on 

the surface,) and tuber, a bunch or excrescence. 
PROVERB, s. A short moral sentence. L. proverbium : from. pro, for, 

and verburn, a word ; meaning an expression used for something 

particular. 
PROVERBIAL, 'adj. Mentioned as a proverb ; resembling a proverb. 

See PROVERB. 
PROVIDE, v. To make ready beforehand ; to supply ; to stipulate. 

L. vrovldeo : from pro, before, and video, to see. 
PROVIDENCE, s. The act of providing 5 divine superintendence. F. 

providence. See PROVIDE. 
PROVINCE, s. Originally, a conquered country ; generally, a large 

district. L. provincia .- fromjoro, before, and vinco, to conquer. 
PROVISION, s. Something provided ; stipulation. L. provisw : from 

provideo. See PROVIDE. 
PROVISO, s. Stipulation ; condition. L. proviso, abl. ofprovisus, p. 

part, of provideo. See PROVIDE. 
PROVOCATION, s. Act or cause by which anger is excited. L. pro- 

vocatio. See PROVOKE. 



PRO— PUN 

PROVOKE, v. To enrage ; to promote. L. provoco : from pro, for- 
ward, and voco, to call. 

PROW. s. The forepart of a ship. F. proue : G. prora.- horn pro, be- 
fore, and rheo, to proceed. 

PROWESS, s. Bravery; valour; courageous excitement which places 
a man forward, or in the front of a battle. F. prouesse. See 
PROW. 

PROXIMITY, s. Nearness. L. proximitas : from proximus, nearest. 

PROXY. *. The agency of another ; the agent employed. Abbrevia- 
tion of L. proximus, a neighbour. See PROXIMITY. 

PRUDENT, adj. Provident; discreet F. prudent.- L. prudens, an 
abbreviation of providens. See PROVIDE. 

PRURIENCE, s. Great desire or appetite for any thing. Li.pruriens, 
part, of prurlo, to itch. 

PSALM, s. A holy song. G. psalmos, a tune for a musical instrument; 
from psallo, to strike [the harpstrings] : psallo, signifies also, to praise 
in song, — the harp being originally used for songs of praise ;- as by 
David. 

PSALTER, s. The volume of psalms. G. psalterion : from psallo. See 
PSALM. 

PSEUDO. adj. False ; counterfeit. G. pseudos, false. 

PUBERTY, s. Sexual maturity. L. pubertas .- from puber, of ripe 
age. 

PUBLISH, v. To make public ; to issue from the press. Li. publico, 
to make public. 

PUERILE, adj. Boyish; childish, h.puerilis; from puer, a boy. 

PUGNACITY, s. Quarrelsomeness; inclination to fight. L. pugnaci- 
tas : pugna, a fight. 

PUISNE 7 , adj. A puisne (puny) judge, is one of inferior rank. F. 
puisne, younger: puis, afterwards, and ne, part, of naitre, to be 
born 

PUISSANT, adj. Powerful. F. from pouvoir, to be able. 

PULMONARY, adj. Relating to the lungs. L. pulmo, the lungs. 

PULSATION, s. The act of beating or moving rapidly against some- 
thing opposing; the beating of the pulse. L. pulsatio ':. pulsus, p. 
part, of pello, to strike. 

PULSE, s. The perceptible action of the blood, in certain parts of the 
body. L. pulsus.- from a part, of pello, to strike. 

PULVERIZE, v. To reduce to powder. L. pulveris, gen. of pulvis, 
dust. 

PUNCTILIO, s. A nice point of exactness ; etiquette. See PUNC- 
TUAL. 

PUNCTILIOUS, adj. Extremely exact. See PUNCTUAL. 

PUNCTUAL, adj. Attentive to the time appointed ; exact. F. punc- 
tual: L. punctum, a point. See POINT. 

PUNCTUATION, s. The act or method of pointing, or placing stops. 
L. punctum, a point. See POINT. 

PUNCTURE, s. A hole made by a sharp point. L. punctum, a point. 
See POINT. 

PUNGENT, adj. Sharp on the tongue ; piercing ; acrimonious.. L, 
pungens, part, of pungo, to prick. 
Q 



PUN— PYR 

PUNITIVE, adj. Awarding or inflicting punishment. L. punio, to 
punish. 

PUNY. adj. Inferior ; weak. See PUISNE'. 

PUPIL, s. A scholar. L. pupillus, a male orphan ; pupilla, a female 
orphan: from pupa, a baby: also, the apple of the eye; alluding- to 
the small image reflected by the eye. 

PUPPET, s. A small image, moved by wires, in a mock drama. L. 
pupus, a young child. 

PURCHASE, v. In law, to acquire an estate, by any method except 
by descent: — to obtain at an expense, as of labour or danger ; to 
buy for a price. F. pour, for, and chasser, to chase or pursue. 

PURGATORY, s. A temporary hell, or place of purgation from sin, 
believed to exist by the Roman Catholics. L. purgatorium ; from 
purgo. See PURGE. 

PURGE, v. To cleanse. L. purgo, to cleanse. 

PURLIEU, s. Besides the creation of new forests, the Norman kings 
of England made great additions to the Saxon forests, by encroach- 
ing upon the lands of their subjects. These encroachments, called 
purlieus, were afterwards disafforested, as far as regarded the rights 
of the land-owner ; but they continued subject to the forest laws, in 
respect to all other persons. F. pur, pure, or unmixed, and lieu, 
place. 

PURPORT, s. Design ; tendency. F. pourporte : from pour, for, and 
porter, to carry. L. pro, and porto. 

PURPOSE, s. Intention •, effect of the intention. F. pour, for, and 
poser, to place : L. pro, and pono. 

PURSUE, v. To chase ; to continue. F. pourmivre : from pour, for, 
and suivre, to follow. 

PURSUIVANT, s. An attendant on the heralds. F. poursuivant, part, 
of poursuivre, to follow. 

PURULENT, adj. Consisting of corrupted matter. L. purulentus .• 
from puris, gen. of pus, corruption. 

PURVEYOR, s. One who collects provisions ; a procurer. F. pur. 
voyeur: from pour, for, and voir; to see. 

PUS. s. Matter issuing from a sore. L. pus, corruption. 

PUSILLANIMITY, s. Cowardice. F. pusillanimite : L. pusillus, 
weak, and animus, the soul, or mind. 

PUSTULE, s. A small swelling. F. pustula .- pus, matter, or corrup- 
tion. 

PUTATrVE. adj. Supposed ; reputed. F. putatif: L. puto, to think. 

PUTREFY, v. To rot; to become foul. F. putrijier : L. putris, rotten, 
SLiidJio, to become. 

PUTRESCENT, adj. Growing rotten or foul. L. putrescens, part, of 
putresco : from putris, rotten. 

PUTRID, adj. Rotten ; foul. L. putridus, rotten. 

PYGMY. See PIGMY. 

PYRAMID, s. A solid figure, the sides of which are plain triangles, 
meeting in a point. F. pyramide : G. puramis ,- from pur, fire: be- 
cause fire ascends in a similar form. 

PYRITES, s. A mineral, sometimes called Jire-stone. Some of its 
varieties are sulphurets of iron, and others, sulphurets of copper, 
with a portion of alumine and silex. G. pur, fire. 



PYR— QUA 

PYROFUGE. s. A machine, by which persons may escape from fire. 
G. pur, fire, and L. fugio, to flee. 

PYROLIGNOUS. adj. The acid called pyrolignous, resembles the 
acetous ; and is obtained by exposing wood, confined in a cylinder 
of iron, to the action of fire. G. pur, fire, and L. lignum, wood. 

PYROMETER, s. An instrument, invented by Wedge wood, for ascer- 
taining the heat of ovens, furnaces, and intense fires. G. pur, fire, 
and mefreo, to measure. 

PYROPHORI. s. Compound substances, which ignite on the admission 
of atmospheric air. G. pur, fire, and phero, to bear. 

PYROTECHNICS, s. The art of making fireworks. G. pur, fire, and 
techne, art. 

PYRRHONISM, s. Scepticism ; universal doubting. Pyrrho, a Gre- 
cian philosopher, the founder of the Sceptics. 

Q. 

QUADRANGLE, s. A square ; a surface with four right angles. L. 
quadrangulus : quadratus, (from quatuor, four,) squared, and angu- 
lus, an angle. 

QUADRANT, s. A quarter ; the quarter of a circle ; an instrument 
for measuring altitudes. L. quadrans, the fourth part : quatuor, 
four. 

QUADRATE, adj. Square ; divisible into four equal parts. L. quad- 
ratus, part, of quadro, to square : quatuor, four. 

QUADRATIC, adj. Belonging to a square. See QUADRATE. 

QUADRATURE, s. The act of squaring ; state of being square ; the 
first and last quarter of the moon. L. quadratura. See QUAD- 
RATE. 

QUADRENNIAL, adj. Lasting four years ; happening once in four 
years. L. quadriennium, the space of four years? comp. of quutuor p 
four, and annus, a year. 

QUADRIBLE. adj. Capable of being squared. L. quadro, to square: 
quatuor, four. 

QUADRILATERAL, adj. Having four sides. L. quatuor, four, and 
lateris, gen. of latus, a side. 

QUADRILLE, s. A kind of game at cards, and also a dance in which 
four partake. F. from the L. quatuor, four. 

QUADRIPARTITE, adj. Having four parts. L. quatuor, four, and 
partitus, p. part, of partio, to divide: pars, a part. 

QUADRUPED, s. An animal which has four feet. L. quadrupedis A 
gen. of quadrupes .• from quatuor, four, and pes, a foot. 

QUADRUPLE, adj. Fourfold; four times told. L. quadruplus : qua- 
tuor, four. 

QUADRUPLICATE, v. To double twice; to make fourfold. L. 
quadruplico : quatuor, four, and plico, to fold. 

QUALIFY, v. To adapt ; to furnish with what is necessary for a parti- 
cular state or profession ; to abate. F. qualifier : L. qualis, such 
as, and facio, to make. 

QUALITY, s. Sort, relatively considered ; property ; rank. L. qua,' 
titas : qualis, of what kind; such as. 



QUA— QUI 

QUAMDIU SE BENE GESSERIT. As long as he shall conduct 
himself properly ; a condition on which the English judges hold 
their offices. L. quamdiu, as long as, gesserit, (from gero,) he shall 
conduct, se, hims< If, bene, well. 

QUANTITY, g. Indeterminate weight or measure; portion; prosodial 
measured L. quantitas, quantity. 

QUANTUM, s. Quantity ; amount ; proportion assigned. L. 

QUANTr'M ME it * JIT. As much as he has earned, or deserved. I*. 
quanius, and mereo. 

QUANTUM tSUFFICIT. As much as is sufficient. L. quantus and 
Bujffitio. 

QUARE IMFEDIT. The name of a writ, which lies for the patron 
of a church -living, against the person who has disturbed his right 
of advowson. L. quare, wherefore, impedit, (from impedio,) he 
hinders. 

QUARANTINE, s. Originally, the space of forty days, in which, a 
ship, suspected of infection, was obliged to forbear intercourse with 
the port to which she was bound ; but the duration of quarantine is 
now variable. F. quarantaine: quarante, forty. 

QUARREL, s. A breach of concord ; a brawl ; a dispute. F. que- 
relle: L. querela, a complaint: quero, to complain. 

QUART, s. The fourth part of a gallon. F. quart : L. quartus, the 
fourth : from quatuor, four. 

QUARTAN, adj. A quartan ague occurs every fourth day. L. quar- 
tanus : quartus, the fourth: quatuor, four. 

QUARTATION. s. A chemical operation, by which, three parts of 
silver are fused with a fourth part of gold, in order to purify the 
latter. L. quartus, the fourth. 

QUARTER, s. A fourth part ; a region of the skies, as denoted by the 
mariner's compass ; a particular region of the town or country, with- 
out regard to arithmetical division : hence, the term quarters, for mi- 
litary. F. quartier : L. quartus : quatuor, four. 

QUARTILE. s. An aspect of the planets, when they are ninety de- 
grees (the fourth of a circle) distant from each other. L. See 
QUARTER. 

QUARTO, s. A book in which every sheet of paper makes four leaves. 
L. abl. of quartus, the fourth. 

QUASH, v. To crush ; to subdue suddenly ; to annul ; to abate. L. 
quatio, to shake or shatter. 

QUATERN1 1 Y. s. A term which includes four. L. quaterni ; qua- 
tuor, four. 

QUERIST, s. An inquirer. L. qussro, to seek. 

QUERULOUS, adj. Mourning; whining; habitually complaining. L. 
querulus .• querela, a complaint ; queror, to complain. 

QUERY, s. A question ; an inquiry to be resolved. L. quaere, imper. 
of quaero, to seek. 

QUEST, s. Search. F. queste : L. qusesitus, p. part, of qusero, to 
seek. 

QUESTION, s. Interrogatory ; subject of inquiry or debate ; doubt, 
F. question: L. questio .• quaesitus, p. part, of quasro, to seek. 

QUIB-NUNC. s. A news-hunter, or coifee-house politician. L. quid* 
what, nunc, now. 



QUI— QUO 

QUIESCENT, adj. Not moving* ; reposing 1 . L. quiescens, part, of 

quiesco, to be quiet. 
QUIET, adj. Still ■ free from disturbance ; inoffensive. L. quietus, 

part, of quiesco, to be quiet. 
QUIETUS. s. A cant word, denoting something to render a person 

tame or submissive. L. quietus, p. part, of quiesco, to rest. 
QUINARY, adj. Consisting of five. L. quinarius : quinque, five. 
QUINQUAGESIMA. adj. Quinquagesima, or Shrove Sunday, is the 

fiftieth day before Easter, reckoned by whole numbers. L. fem. of 

quinquagesimus, the fiftieth. 
QUINQUENNIAL, adj. Lasting five years ; happening once in five 

years. L. quinquennis : quinque, five, and annus, a year. 
QUINTESSENCE, s. An imaginary fifth being of the old philosophers; 

an extract from any thing, containing all its virtues, in a small bulk. 

L. quinta, fem. of quintus, the fifth, and essence. 
QUINTUPLE, adj. Fivefold. L. quintuplus : quinque, five. 
QUIRE, s. A body of singers. F. choeur. See CHOIR. 
QUIT. v. To relinquish • to leave off ; to abandon ; to* resign. F. 

quitter ; L. quietus, p. part, of quiesco, to rest. 
QUI TJLM. An action in the manner of an information on a penaj 

statute. L. qui, who, tarn, as well: that is, the informer, who as well, 

for the king as for himself, sues, &c. 
QUIT-RENT. s. Quit-rents, quieti reditus ,- so called, because thereby 

the tenant goes quit and free of all other services. See QUIT. 
QUOAD HOC. As far as this [point of the argument, &c] L. quoad, 

as much as, or, as far as, hoc, this. 
QUO JLN1M0. " With what mind," or with what design or intention. 

L. abl. of qui, and animus. 
QUO JURE. By what right. L. abl. of qui, and jus. 
QUO MO DO. In what manner. L. abl. of qui, and modus. 
QUONDAM. Having been formerly. L. quondam, in time past. 
QUORUM, s. A term used to distinguish a magistrate of a certain rank* 

a bench of magistrates ; a number of any members sufficient to 

ti'ansact business. The term is thus used, from the words of the 

commission, — "quorum, A. B.unumesse volumus," K ofwhom,A. B. 

we wish you to be one.) Where a commission is directed to seven 

persons, or to any three of them, whereof A. B. and C. D. are to be 

two ; in this case, they are said to be of the quorum K of whom ,-) be- 
cause, the rest cannot proceed to business without them:— -so, "a 

justice of the peace and quorum," is one, without whom the rest of 

the justices, in some cases > cannot proceed ■ and a quorum of any 

deliberative assembly has the same relation. 
QUOTA, s. Share ; proportion assigned to each. L. fem. of quvtus .* 

from quot, as many as. 
QUOTIDIAN, adj. A quotidian fever returns every day. L. quaiidw* 

nus : quot, every, and dies, a day. 
QUOTIENT, s. A number produced by the division of two other given 

numbers, the one by the other ; as, the quotient of 50, divided by 

10, is 5. F. quotient : L. quoties, as many times. 
QUO WARRANTO. By what warrant, or authority. L. 



RAB— RAP 



1!, 



BABBLE, s. A tumultuous crowd ; the lowest of the populace. L. 

rabula, a wrangler* rabo, to rave, or be mad. 
RABDOMANCY. 8, Pretended divination by means of rods. G. rabdos, 

a rod, and manleia, a foretelling. 
RADIANT, adj. Emitting rays ; shining. L. radians, part, of radio, 

to emit beams and rays, or to glitter: radius, a ray: G. rabdos, a 

small branch, or rod. 
RADIATED, adj. Adorned with rays. L. radiatus. See RADIANT. 
RADICAL, adj. Affecting the root ; primitive ; implanted by nature. 

F. radical: L. radicis, gen. of radix, a root. 
RADICATE, v. To form a root ; to plant deeply and firmly. L. ra- 

dicor : radix, a root. 
RADICLE, s. That part of the seed, which, after its vegetation, be- 
comes its root. L. radicula, dim. of radix, a root. 
RADIUS, s: The semidiameter of a circle ; (pi. radii.) L. radius, a 

ray: G. rabdos, a small branch, or rod. 
RAGOUT, s. Meat stewed and highly seasoned. F. from gout, taste. 
RALLY, v. To re -assemble and put in order dispersed forces. F. ral- 

lier : re, again, and oilier, to join: — to tease by frequent attempts of 

satire ; r oilier, to jeer. 
RAMBLE, v. To wander at large, without any fixed object in view. 

L. re, back, or again, and ambulo, to go about. 
RAMIFY, v. To separate into branches. F. ramifi.tr: L. ramus, a 
. branch, and facio, to make. 
RAMOUS. adj. Branchy. L. ramus, a branch. 
RAMPART, s. In fortification, an elevation of earth around a place, 

capable of resisting cannon. F. rempart : from remparer, to fence. 
RANCID, adj. Emitting a putrid smell. L. rancidus, musty, stale. 
RANCOUR, s. Inveterate malignity. F. rancoeur : ranee, rusty, and 

coeur, the heart: L. rancidus and cor. 
RANGE, v. To place in a row, or in order; to rove at large, as if along 

the entire row. F. ranger : rang, a row. 
RANK. s. A row ; a class or order ; degree, as if denoting in what 

row. F. rang, a row. 
RANSOM, s. Price of redemption, from captivity or punishment. F. 

rangon. 
RAPACIOUS, adj. Addicted to plunder, or seize by violence. F. 

rapace.- L. rapax. See RAPINE. 
RAPACITY, s. Inclination to plunder ; exercise of plunder. F. rapa- 

cite : L. rapacitas : rapax, ravenous ; rapio, to pull, or take by vio- 
lence. 
RAPID, adj. Swift. F. rapide: L. rapidus: raptus, p. part, of rapio, 

to take by violence. 
RAPIER, s. A species of sword. F. rapier e : L. rapio, to take by 

violence. 
RAPINE, s. Act of plundering ; violence. F. rapine: L. rapina 

rapio, to pull, or take by violence. 
RAPTURE. §, Ejrtasy ; violence of any pleasing affection or passion. 



RAR— REB 

L. rapturus, (part, of rapto, ) about to take, or hurry away, by vio- 
lence. 

RARA AVIS. A rare bird ; something" singular or wonderful. L. 
rara, fern, of varus, rare, and avis, a bird. 

RARE. adj. Scarce ; uncommon ; unfrequent. F. rare : L. rams, 
thin, or not thick set. 

RAREFACTION, s. Act of rarefying-. L. rarus, thin, and facfio, a 
power of making: facio, to make. 

RAREFY, v. To make thin, or less dense. F. rarefier : L. rarus, thin, 
and facio, to make. 

RARITY, s. Uncommonness; a thing valued for its scarcity. F. rarite : 
L. raritas. See RARE. 

RATE. s. Assigned value ; allowance ; degree ; rank 5 mode of ac- 
tion ; degree to which any thing is done ; tax. L. ratus, part, of 
rear, to suppose. 

RATIFY, v. To confirm ; to sanction. F. ratijier : L. ratus, (part, of 
rear,) established, and facio, to make. 

RATIO, s. Rate ; proportion. L. from ratus, part, of reor, to suppose. 

RATIOCINATION, s. The act of reasoning, or of deducing conse- 
quences from premises. L. ratiocinatio : ratiocinatus, part, of ratio- 
cinor, to cast an account, or reckon. See RATIO. 

RATIONAL, adj. Having the power of reasoning ; in conformity with 
reason ; judicious. L. rationalis: ratio, reason. See RATE. 

RAVAGE, v. To plunder ; to lay waste. F. ravager : L. rapio, t© 
take by violence. 

RAY. s. A beaVn of light ; any lustre, corporeal or intellectual. F. ; 
rate.- from the L. radius. See RADIUS. 

RAZE. v. To make level with the ground ; to ruin ; to efface. F. 
raser : L. rasus, p. part, of rado, to shave. 

RAZOR, s. A knife for shaving the beard. L. raaor : from rasus, p. 
part, of rado, to shave. 

RAZURE. s. Erasure ■, act of erasing*. F. rasure : L. razura. See 
RAZE. 

REAL. adj. Not fictitious, but actually existing ; genuine ; consisting 
of things immovable, as land, — not transitory, as furniture or money. 
L. realis: res, a thing. 

REALIZE, v. To make real ; to acquire beyond the reach of contin- 
gency ; to induce one's mind to believe any extreme happiness or 
affliction. See REAL. 

REALM, s. A kingdom; a king's dominions. F. roiaulme ; roi, a king. 

REANIMATE, v. To revive. L. re, again, and animate. 

REASON, s. Rational faculty 5 mind 5 cause ; motive ; justice ; mode- 
ration. F. raison: L. ratio: from ratus, part, of reor, to suppose, 
or judge. 

REASONABLE, adj. Rational -, just ; moderate. F. raisonnable. See 
REASON. 

REASSUME. v. To resume ; to take again. L. re, again, and assume. 

REASSURE, v. To assure again. L. re, again, and assure. 

REBAFTIZE. v. To baptize again. L. re, again, and baptize. 

REBEL, v. To revolt, after being conquered 5 to rise against lawful 
authority. L. reoelh : comp. oi re, again, and belb, to wage war: 
iellufn, war. 



REB— REC 

REBUILD, v. To build again. L. re, again, and build. 

REBUS, s. A word represented by a picture. L. rebus, (abl. pi. of 
res,) by things. 

REBUT, v. To repel. F. rebuier .■ L. re, back, and batuo, to beat. 

RECANT, v. To retract ; to contradict one's former professions. L. 
recanto : comp. of re, again, and canto, to sing. 

RECAPITULATE, v. To repeat the heads of a former discourse ; to 
capitulate again. F. recapituler .- L. re, again, and capitulatim, by 
heads or chapters: caput, a head. 

RECEDE, v. To fall back 5 to retreat. L. recede: re, back, and cedo, 
to depart. 

RECEIPT, s. The act of receiving ; written evidence of a thing re- 
ceived. L. receptum : receptus, p. part, of recipio. See RECEIVE. 

RECEIVE, v. To take or get into one's possession ; to embrace intel- 
lectually ; to admit. F. recevoir .• L. recipio : re, back, or again, and 
capio, to take. 

RECENT, adj. New ; late ; fresh. L. recens, new. 

RECEPTACLE, s. A vessel or place into which any thing is received. 
L. receptaculum. See RECEIPT. 

RECEPTION, s. Act of receiving 5 state of being received. See 
RECEIPT. 

RECEPTIVE, adj. Having the faculty of receiving. See RECEIPT. 

RECESS, s. Retirement; secession; place of retirement, or secrecy; 
a niche. L. recessus, part, of recedo. See RECEDE. 

RECESSION, s. Act of receding. L. recessio. See RECESS. 

RECIPE', s. A medical prescription ; a direction for apportioning the 
ingredients of any compound. L. imper. of recipio. See RECEIPT. 

RECIPIENT, s. The thing which receives. L. recipiens, part, of re- 
cipio. See RECEIVE. 

RECIPROCAL, adj. Alternate ; mutual. L. reciprocus, going, or 
flowing, backward and forward: comp. of re, back, capio, to take, 
and pro, forward. 

RECITATIVE, or REGIT ATIVO. s. Chaunt; a kind of tuneful pro- 
nunciation, more musical than common speech, and less musical than 
song. See RECITE. 

RECITE, v. To rehearse ; to repeat ; to enumerate. L. recito : from 
re, again, and ciio, to call [into the memory.]. 

RECLAIM, v. To recall ; to reform ; to correct ; to restore to a state 
of arability. L. reclamo : re, back, and clamo, to call. 

RECLAMATION, s. Act of reclaiming. See RECLAIM. 

RECLINE, v. To lean back ; to repose. L. recllno: re, back, and 
clino, to bend. 

RECLUSE, adj. Secluded. F. rectus : L. re, back, and clausus,p. 
part, of claudo, to shut. 

RECOGNISANCE, s. Acknowledgment; bond of acknowledgment, 
with regard to a debt, or to a penalty that may accrue by non- 
appearance in a court of law. F. reconnoissance, (formerly recogni- 
sance.) See RECOGNISE. 

RECOGNISE, v. To know again. L. re, again, and cognosco, to know. 

RECOGNITION, s. Act of recognising ; renovation of knowledge* 
L. recognitio. See RECOGNISE, 



REC— REC 

RECOIL, v. To rush back ; to retire rapidly from some opposing dan- 
ger. F. reader.- re, buck, and cul, the breech. 
RECOIN. p. To coin over again. L. re, again, and coin. 
RECOLLECT, v. To collect again ; to restore to the memory. L. re, 

again, and collect. 
RECOMMEND, v. To commend, to another, that which is already 

commended to one's-self' ; to make acceptable. L. re, again, and 

commend. 
RECOMMIT, v. To commit again. L. re, again, and commit. 
RECOMPENSE, v. To requite; to. give an equivalent. F. recom- 

penser : L. re, back, and compenso, to recompense: con, with, and 

pensus, p. part, or pendo, to pay. 
RECONCILE, v. To cause a renewal of affection or regard ; to make 

consistent. L. reconciHo .• re, again, and concilio, to join. See 

CONCILIATE. 
RECONNOITRE- v. To view? to explore. F.comp. of re, again, and 

conno'ire, to know. 
RECORD, v. To cause to be remembered ; to register. L. recorder : 

re, again, and cor, the heart, or mind. 
RECOUNT, v. To relate in detail ; to reckon again. F. recontre: re, 

again, and confer, to count, or reckon. 
RECOURSE, s. Return; access. F. recourse L. recursus : from re- 

curro : re, back, and curro, to run. 
RECREANT, adj. Cowardly; crying" out for mercy; recanting through 

fear. F. recriant, part, of recrier : from re, back, or again, and crier, 

to cry out. 
RECREATE, v. To refresh after toil ; to amuse or divert. L. recreo .- 

re, again, and creatus, p. part, of creo, to make. 
RECREMENT, s. Superfluous or useless parts ; dross. L. recremen- 

tum .- re, back, and cresco, to increase, or creo, to create ; meaning, 

the reverse of increment. See INCREMENT. 
RECRIMINATE, v. To charge, with another crime, the person who 

has made the first charge. L. re, back, and criminate. 
RECRUIT, v. To repair by a new supply ; to restore in number a 

wasted army. F. recruier : re, again, and croiire, to increase: L. 

cresco, to grow. 
RECTANGLE, s. A figure which has one angle or more, of ninety 

degrees. L. rectus, straight, and angulus, an angle. 
RECTIFY, v. To make right ; to correct ; to refine or strengthen by 

repeated distillation. F. rectifier: L. rectus, straight, or just, and 

facio, to make. 
RECTILINEAR, adj. Consisting of right lines. L. rectus, straight, 

arid linea, a line. 
RECTITUDE, s. Honesty ; freedom from moral curvity or obliquity. 

F. rectitude: L. rectum. : from rectus, (p. part, ofrego,) ruled or or- 
dered: meaning that which is ordered to be done. 
RECTOR, s. A governor ; a clergyman who receives higher tythes 

than a vicar. L. rector : rectus, p. part, ofrego, to rule. 
RECUMBENT, adj. Lying, or leaning. L. recuinbens, part, of re- 

cumho : re, back, and cumbo, to lie clown. 
RECUR, v. To happen agam ; to come back to the memory ; to have 

recourse to. L. recurro .- re, again, or back, and curro f to run, 



REC— REP 

RECURVOUS. adj. Bent backwards. L. recurvus: re, backhand 
curvus, crooked, or bent. 

REDEEM, v. To ransom ; to pay the penalty of; to rescue. L. re- 
dimo : re, back, or again, and emo, to buy. 

REDEMPTION, s. Ransom; release; rescue. L. redemptio: re- 
demptus, p. part, ofredimo. See REDEEM. 

REDOLENT, adj. Sweet-smelling. L. redolens, part, ofredoleo: from 
re, back, and oleo, to yield a smell. 

REDOUBLE, v. To doable again ; to renew with increased assiduity. 
L. re, again, and double. 

REDOUND, v. To be sent back by reaction ; to conduce ; to pro- 
ceed. L. redundo: re, back, and undo, to spread as waves, or 
abound: unda, a wave. 

REDRESS, v. To amend ; to remedy ; to relieve ; to ease. F. re- 
dresser: L. re, again, and directus, p. part, of dirigo, to direct or 
range : di, separately, and rego, to rule or set right. 

REDUCE, v. To biing to the former state ; to reform ; to bring to a 
state of diminution ; to degrade ; to subdue. L. reduco : re, back, 
and duco, to lead. 

REDUCTION, s. Act of reducing ; science of reducing. F. reduc- 
tion: L. reductio : from reductus, p. part, of reduco. See REDUCE. 

REDUNDANT, adj. Superabundant ; superfluous. L. redundans, p. 
part, of redundo, to overflow: comp. of re, back, and undo, to spread 
as waves, or abound: unda, a wave. See REDOUND. 

REDUPLICATE, v. To double. L re, again, and duplicate. 

REFECTION, s. Refreshment. F. refection: L. refectio : refectus, 
p. part, of 'rejicio, to repair: re, again, and facio, to make. 

REFECTORY, s. Room of refreshment ; eating room. F. refectoire. 
See REFECTION. 

REFER, v. To direct one person to another, or to some document, 
for information or judgment ; to direct the mind to, as the ultimate 
object or end. L. refero .• re, back, and fero, to cany. 

REFINE, v. To make doubly fine ; to purify. L. re, again, and fine. 

REFLECT, v. To throw back ; to bend back ; to turn the thoughts 
upon the past ; to throw reproach or censure. L. rejiecto : re, back, 
and fiecto, to bend. 

REFLEX, adj. Directed backward. L. rejlexus, p. part, of reftecto. 
See REFLECT. 

REFLUENT, adj. Flowing back. L. refiuens, part, ofrejluo : re, back, 
and Jiuo, to flow. 

REFLUX, s. Backward course. L. rejluxus, part, of rejluo. See 
REFLUENT. 

REFORM, v. To remodel ; to free from impurity. L. re, again, and 
form. 

REFRx\CT. v. To break the natural course (of rays.) L. refractum, 
sup. of refringo: from re, back, and frango, to break. 

REFRACTORY, adj. Obstinate ; contumacious ; rebellious. L. re- 
fractarius : refracius, p. part, of refringo : comp. of re, back, and 
frango, to break. This word should be written Refractory. 

REFRAGABLE. adj. Capable of confutation. L. refragabilis : refra*- 
gor, to resist, or deny : re, again, and frango, to break. 



REF— REG 

REFRAIN, v. To hold back ; to restrain. F. refrener .• L. re, back- 

and fraeno, to curb: frasnum, a bridle. 
REFRANGIBLE, adj. Rays of light are refrangible, because they can 

be refracted or turned out of their way, in passing from one trans- 
parent body to another. L. re, back, andfrango, to break. 
REFRIGERATE, v. To cool ; or rather to bring to a former state of 

coolness. L. refrigero : re, back, or again, and frigus, cold. 
REFUGE. 5. Shelter from danger or distress ; protection. F. refuge ; 

L. refugium: re, back, and fugio, to flee. 
REFUGEE, s. One who seeks or has obtained a place of refuge. F. 

refugii. See REFUGE. 
REFULGENT, adj. Shining back ; glittering ; bright ; splendid. L. 

refulgens, p. part, ofrefulgeo: re, back, and fulgeo, to shine. 
REFUND, v. To repay ; to restore. L. refundo: re, back, and fundo, 

to pour. 
REFU'SE. v. To reject ; to deny what is solicited or required ; not 

to comply with. F. refuser: L. refusum, sup. of refundo. : re, back, 

arid fundo, to pour. 
RE'FUSE. s. That which is rejected; remainder after the rest is taken. 

See the verb. 
REFUTE, v. To prove false or erroneous. L. refuto } re, back, and 

futo, to disprove. 
REGAL, adj. Royal. F. regale: L. regalis : regis, gen. of rex, a king: 

rego, to rule. 
REGALIA, s. Ensigns of the regal office ; things to which a king 

claims a right, independent of the state. L. See REGAL. 
REGARD, v . To feel an interest in ; to observe ; to consider ; to re- 
spect or esteem. F. regarder : re, back, and garder, to keep, or 

preserve. 
REGENERATE, v.- To reproduce ; to give a new nature. L. re, 

again, and generate: (regenero.) 
REGENT, s. A governor ; a vice-king. F. regent : L. regens, part. 

of rego, to rule. 
REGICIDE, s. Murderer of his king, — regicida,- murder of his king, — 

regicidium : regis, gen. of rex, a king, and caedo, to kill. 
REGIMEN, s. Mode ; mode of diet and living, suitable to a particular 

course of medicine or state of body. L. from rego, to rule. 
REGIMENT, s. A body of soldiers having a name or a number, and 

commanded by a colonel. Old F, regiment : L. rego, to rule, or 

govern. 
REGION, s. Tract of land ; tract of space ; part of the body. F. re- 
gion : L. regio ; from rego, to rule ; meaning that portion which is 

subject, to one ruler. 
REGISTER, s. A record, or regular account; the officer who records. 

F. registre : L. registrum : regestus, p. part, of regero : re, back, or 
again, and gero, to cany. 
REGNANT, adj. This term, when applied to a queen, must be distin- 
f>:n^-;d from the word regent. A qaeen-regna7it reigns in her own 
., as did Elizabeth : a queen-regmtf is appointed to reign in the 
ce of another. See REIGN. 
jRESS. s. Passage back; power of returning. L. regressm : from 
/egredior: re, back, and gradior, to go: gradus, a step. 



REG— REL 

REGULAR, adj. Agreeable to rule ; orderly ; relating to a certain 
species of geometrical figures. L. regularis • rego, to rule. 

REGURGITATE, v. To flow back with violence. L. re, back, and 
gurges, a whirlpool. 

REIGN, v. To enjoy or exercise sovereign authority ; -to be predomi- 
nant. L. regno : from rego, to ride. 

REIMBURSE, v. To repay. L. re, back, in, into, and bursa, a purse. 

REINTEGRATE, v. To repair ; to restore. L. re, again, and integro, 
to renew: integer, entire. 

REITERATE, v. To repeat ag-ain and again. L. re, again, and iterate. 

REJECT, v. To throw back 5 to throw aside ; to cast off; to refuse. 
L. rejectum, sup. of rejiciu .■ re, back, &nd jacio, to throw. 

REJUVENESCENCE, s. State of growing young. L. re, again, and 
juvenescens, part of juvenesco, to grow young, 

RELAPSE, v. To slip or fall back ; to return to any former state 5 to 
return to a former opinion or profession. X. relapsus, part, of relet- 
bar: re, back, and labor, to slide. 

RELATE, v. To tell ; to recite ; to have reference. L. relatum, sup. 
ofrefero; re, back, or again, and fero, to bring. 

RELAX. Vr To slacken ; to make less tense ; to make less severe ; to 
ease. L. relaxo ,• re, back, or again, and laxo, to loosen. 

RELAY, s. Horses on a road to relieve others. F. relais ,• re, again, 
and laisser, to leave : L. laxo, to loosen. 

RELEASE, v. To set free; to free from obligation or penalty; to lease 
again. F. re, again, and laisser, to leave, let, or yield. L. laxo, to 
loosen. 

RELENT, v. To soften in temper ; to feel compassion. F. relentir ,• 
L. re, again, and lenitus, p. part, of lenio, to soften. 

RELEVANT, adj. Relieving; aiding. F. part, of relever ,- L. relevo ; 
comp. of re, again, and levo, to lift. 

RELIC, or RELIQUE. s. That which remains ; (in the plural, bodily 
remains ,-) something retained in memory of a person, with a reli- 
gious, or superstitious veneration. Y.relique; L. reliquiae ; relictus, 
(p. part, of relinquo, } left behind: re, back, and linquo, to leave. 

RELICT, s. A woman left desolate by tne death of her husband ; a 
widow. L. relictus, p. part, of relinquo. See RELIC. 

RELIEVE, v. To ease from pain, sorrow, or oppression ; to ease from 
military or other duty ; to improve the appearance, by contrast. L. 
relevo ; re, again, and levo, to lift. 

RELIGION, s. Reverence of a Supreme Being ; united, especially in 
Christians, with a solemn and awful expectation of everlasting hap- 
piness, in a future state, as the reward of obedience to God, — or of 
torment, as the reward of sin: particular species of religious opin- 
ions. F. religion; L. religio ,• from religo, to bind fast: re, back, 
and ligo, to bind. 
RELINQUISH, v. To leave with reluctance ; to quit ; to desert. L. 

relinquo ; re, back, and linquo, to leave. 
RELUCENT. adj. Shining ; transparent. L. relucens, part, of relu- 

ceo ; re, back, and luceo, to shine. 
RELUCTANT, adj. Unwilling. L. reluctans ; re, back, and lucio, t» 
wrestle. 



REL— REN 

RELUME, or RELUMINE. v. To relight ; to rekindle. L. re, again, 

and lumen, light. 
RELY. r. To lean or rest upon with confidence; to put trust in, (with 

mi.) F. re, back, and Her, to tie, or unite: L. llgo. 
REMAIN. r. To be left; to be left out ; to stay; to continue. L. re- 

moneo ,■ comp. of re, back, and manco, to stay, or wait. 
REMAINDER, s. That which remains ; in law, the last chance of in- 
heritance. See REMAIN. 
REMAND, v. To call back ; to send back. L. re, back, and mando, 

to bid, or send away. 
REMARK, v. To note 5 to observe. F. remarquer ,- re, again, and 

marquer, to mark. 
REMEDY, s. Means of cure; means of counteracting any evil; reliefs 

L. remedium : G. rncdos, care, advice. 
REMINISCENCE. s. Recollection; recovery of ideas. L. reminis- 

cens ; re, again, and memini, to remember. 
REMISS, adj. Careless ; slothful. L. remissus, p. part, of remitio- 

See REMIT. 
REMISSION, s. Act of remitting. L. remissio ; remissus, p. part of 

remitto. See REMIT, 
REMIT. «. To send back ; to release from ^ to pardon ; to defer ; to 

refer ; to abate. L. remitto ,• comp. of re, back, and mitto, to send. 
REMNANT* s. Remainder. L. rentanens, part, of rememeo. See 

REMAIN. 
REMONSTRATE, v. To show reasons, in strong terms, accompa- 
nied by expressions indicating a sense of injury. L. remonstroi 

re, back, or again, and monstro, to show. 
REMORSE, s. Pain, from guilt; sorrow, arising from a sense of having 

injured. L. remorsus, part, of remordeo,- from re, back, or again, 

and rnordeo, to bite. 
REMOTE, adj. Far removed ; distant. L. remotus, p. part, of remo- 

veo 1 re, back, and moveo, to move. 
REMOVE, v. To displace ; to go to another place ; to transplant ; to 

place at a distance. L. rtmoveo ,• re, back, or again, and moveo, to 

move. 
REMUNERATE, v. To repay ; to reward. L. remunero ; re, again, 

and munero, to gift: rnunus, a g-ift, or service. 
RENASCENT, adj. Rising again into being. L. renascens, part, of 

renascor ,• re, again, and nuscor, to be born. 
RENCONTRE, or RENCOUNTER- s. Collision or opposition; battle. 

F. rencontre,- re, again, and encontre^ a chance or adventure: en, intq, 

and confre, against: L. in, and contra. 
RENDEZVOUS, s. Assembly ; place appointed for assembling. P. 

rendezvous ,■ rendez, imper. ofrendre, to return, and vous, you. 
RENOUNCE, y. To disown ; to relinquish ; to quit upon oath. L. re- 

nuntio ; re, again, and nuntio* to tell, or declare. 
RENOVATE, v. To renew; to refresh. L. renovo; re, again, and 

novo, to make new: from novus, new. 
RENOWN, s. Reverberation of a name ; great and established reputa- 
tion. F. renomm^e .- L. re, back, or again, and nomen, a name. 
RENT. s. Revenue ; money paid for any thing held of another. L» 

rediius; from redeo, to return: re, back^ and eo, to go. 
R 



REX— REP 

RENUNCIATION, s. Act of renouncing". L. renuntiatio. See RE- 
NOUNCE. 

REPAIR, v. To amend ; to replace, or restore. L. reparo ,- re, again, 
and paro, to make, or shape. 

REPARABLE, adj. Capable of being- repaired. L. repurabills. See 
REPAIR. 

REPARATION, s. Act of repairing ; amends. L. reparatio. See 
REPAIR. 

REPARTEE, s. Smart reply. F. repartie ,■ from repartir, to divide 
again, or reply: L. re, and partio. 

REPAST, s. A meal ; food ; refreshment. F. repus .- L. re, again, 
and pastus, p. part, of paseo, to feed. 

REPEAL, v. To revoke ; to annul. F. rappeller ; L. re, back, and 
appello, to call. 

'REPEAT. t\ To speak, use, or try, again ; to recite : to denote the 
time of day, (as a repeating watch.) L. repeto, to ask again: comp, 
of re, again, and peto, to beseech, ask, seek after, &c. 

-REPEL. i\ To drive back; to rebut. L. rep el la ,• re, back, and pello, 
to drive away. 

REPENT, v. To think on any thing past with sorrow ; to express sor- 
row for something past ; to change the mind. F. repentir : L. re, 
again, and penitus, within. 

REPERCUSSION, s. Rebound. L. repercussio ,■ repercussus, p. part, 
of repercutio • re, back, and percutio, to strike : per, through, and 
quatio, to shake. 

REPERTORY, s. A magazine ; a book in which information on cer- 
tain subjects is to be found. F. repertoire: L. repertorium ,• from 
repertus, p. part, ofreperio, to find, or discover. 

REPETITION. 6-. Act of repeating; thing repeated. L. repetitio. See 
REPEAT. 

REPLENISH, v. To refill. L. re, again, and plenum, full. 

REPLETE, adj. Full, — meaning in a high degree. F. replete : L. 
repletus, p. part, of repleo ; re, again, or in a high degree, and ple<r. 
to fill. 

REPLETION, s. Act of rendering too full ; state of being too full. F. 
repletion. See REPLETE. 

REPLEVIN, or REPLEVY, v. To take back or recover, on security 
given to the proper officer, any thing seized. Lax F. replerir ,■ re, 
again, and old F. pkvir, ioi ' plegir, to give a pledge. 

REPLICATION, s. A formal reply ; answer to a plea in law. L. re- 
plicatio, an unfolding: from replicaius, p. part, of repl/co. . See 
REPLY. 

REPLY, v. To answer ; to make a return to an answer. L. replleo; to 
unfold, or reply: re, back, or again, and plica, to fold. 

REPORT, v* To carry back the result of any inquiry, from a com- 
mittee, to the whole assembly deliberating ; to make public ; to ru- 
mour ; to make a loud noise. L. reporib ,- re, back, and porta, to 
carry. 

REPOSE, s. Rest; quiet; sleep. F. repos; L. reposffm, p. part, of 
repono • re, back, and poiiu, to place. 

REPREHEND, v. To reprove ; to. censure. L. reprekmdd; from re, 
again, and prehendp, to take, or lay hold on. 



REP— RES 

REPREHENSIBLE, adj. Reprovable ; censurable. F. reprehensible: 

L. reprehemus, p. part, of reprehendo. See REPREHEND. 
REPRESENT, v. To show as a likeness; to describe; to make 

known ; to personate. L. represento ,■ re, again, and praexens, pre-^ 

sent. See PRESENT. 
REPRESS, v. To crush ; to subdue. L. repression, sup. of reprimo ,■ 

re, back, and premo, to press. 
REPRIEVE, v. To respite. F. repris, part, of reprendre ,- re, back, 

or again, and prendre, to take. 
REPRISAL, s. Act of seizing-, by way of retaliation ; thing seized. F. 

represaille. See REPRIEVE.' 
REPROACH, v. To censure in opprobrious terms ; to upbraid. F. 

reprodier ,■ re, again, and approcher, to come near. 
REPROBATE, v. To disallow, or reject; to censure; to think of with 

feelings of much disapprobation. L. reprobo ; comp. of re, back, and 

probo, to approve, or allow. 
REPROVE, v. To blame, chide, or reprehend. F. reprouver: L. re- 

probo ; re, back, and probo, to approve, or allow. 
REPTILE, s. A creeping animal. L. reptile: from repo, to creep, or 

crawl. 
REPUBLIC, s. A commonwealth ; a state in which the happiness and 

advantage of all the people are considered and provided for ; and in 

which the people govern through their representatives. L. respub- 

lica ; res, an affair, or advantage, and publicus, public. 
REPUDIATE, v. To divorce ; to put away. L. repudio ; re, back, 

and G. pudarizo, to spurn. 
REPUGNANT, adj. Contrary; inconsistent. F. repugnant: L. re- 

pugnans, part, oi'repugno ,- re, back, and pug?io, to fight. 
REPULSE, s. Act of repelling ; condition of being repelled, or de- 
feated. F. repulse: L. repulsus, p. part, of repeUo. See REPEL. 
REPUTABLE, adj. Honourable ; respectable. See REPUTE. 
REPUTE, v. To esteem ; to account ; to think. L. reputo : re, again, 

and pu to, to think, or consider. 
REQUEST, s. Petition; entreaty ; state of being desired, F, requite: 

L. requisitus, p. part, ofrequiro. See REQUIRE, 
REQUIEM, s. A hymn, in which rest is implored for the dead. L. 

comp. of re, again, and quies, rest. 
REQUIRE, v. To demand ; to ask as a right ; to need, L. requiro ; 

re, back, and qusero, to ask, or seek. 
REQUISITE, adj. Required ; necessary. L. requisitus, p. part, of 
• requiro. See REQUIRE. 
REQUITE, v. To repay ; to retaliate. F. requiier j re, again, and 

quitter, to quit, or part with. 
RESCIND, v. To cut off; to abrogate; to repeal. L.rescindo,- re, 

again, and scindo, to cut. 
RESCISSION, s. Act of rescinding, F« rescission,- from L. rescissus, 

p. part, of rescindo. See RESCIND. 
HESCRIBE. v. To write back ; to write over again. L. rescribo ; re, 

back, or again, and scribo, to write. 
RESCRIPT, s. Edict, generally of a Roman emperor, or a pope. 

When any doubt arose upon the construction of the Roman laws, 

the usage was, to state the case to the emperor, in writing, and take 



RET— REV 

RETORT\ s. A censure or incivility returned ; a witty or satirical re- 
ply: — a glass vessel, with a bent neck, used by chemists in distilling 1 . 
F. retorte: L. retort us, p. part, of retorqueo; re, back, and torqueo, 
to writhe, bend, or hurl. 

RETRACT, v. To recall; to recant, or change the mind. L. retractum, 
sup. of reiraho ,- re, back, and trako, to draw. 

RETREAT, s. Act of going back, or retiring 5 place of retirement or 
privacy. F. reiraite - L. retractus, p. part, ofretraho; re, back, and 
traho, to draw. 

RETRENCH, v. To pare off; to lessen. F-. retrancher : L. re, again, 
and trunco, to lop off. 

RETRIBUTION. 5. Repayment : atonement. F. retribution .- L. re- 
tributes, p. part, of retribtw; re, back, and tribuo, to give, or be- 
stow. 

RETRIEVE, v. To recover ; to restore ; to repair ; to regain. F. re- 
trouver ,- comp. of re, again, and irouver, to find. 

RETROCEDE. v. To go back ; to reassign. L. retrocedo,- retro, back-* 
ward, and cedo, to depart, or yield. 

RETROCESSION, s. Act of retroceding. L. retrocessum, sup. of re- 
trocedo. See RETROCEDE. 

RETROGRADE, v. To go backward ; to decline from a state of im- 
provement. L. retrogradioi' ; retro, backward, and gradior, to go, 
or walk: gradus, a step. 

RETROGRESSION, s. Act of retrograding. L. retrogressus, part, of 
retrogradior. See RETROGRADE. 

RETROSPECT, s. Backward view ; view of the past. L. retro, back- 
ward, and spectum, sup. of specio, to see, or view. 

RETURN, v. To turn back ; to come, or go back ? to give back ; to 
reply. L. re, again, and turn. (F. reiourner.) 

REUNION, s. Return to a state of junction, cohesion, or concord. L. 
re, again, and union. 

REVEAL, v. To uncover ; to disclose ; to inform from Heaven. L. 
revelo ; from re, back, and velum, a veil, or curtain. 

REVELATION, s. Act of revealing ; knowledge revealed. See 
REVEAL. 

REVENUE, s. Incoifte; annual return of profits, or amount of national 
imposts or rents. F. revenu .• L. re, back, and veuio, to come. 

REVERBERATE, v. To beat back ; to rebound ; (used in relation to 
sound, or heat.) L. reverbera; re, back, and verbero, to whip, or 
beat: verher, a whip. 

REVERBERATORY. s. An oven or furnace in which the flame is 
confined by a dome, which occasions it to rebound before it passes 
into the chimney. See REVERBERATE. 

REVERE, v. To reverence ; to honour; to venerate. L. revereor,- re, 
meaning again, or in a great degree, and vereor y to reverence, or 
fear. 

REVERENCE, s. Veneration; respect; act of obeisance :— title of a 
clergvman. F. reverence •• L. reverentia .- reverensy part, of revereor. 
See REVERE. 

REVEREND, adj, Venerable ; deserving reverence ; also, an epithet 
applied to a clergyman. F. reverend.- L. reverendus, (part, of rat- 
reor,) to be revered. See REVERE. 



REV— RIG 

' REVERSE, s. Change ; vicissitude ; misfortune ; an opposite. L. ft-, 
verms, p. part, of reverto. See REVERT. 

REVERSION. 5. Act of reverting' ; contingent interest in the return 
of land-to the grantor or his heirs. F. reversion : L. reversio. See 
REVERSE. 

REVERT, v. To return. L. reverto ,- re, back, and verto, to turn. 

REVEST, v. To vest again ; to reinvest. L. revestlo; re, again, and 
vestio, to clothe. 

.REVILE, v. To vilify ; to treat with contumely. L. re, back, and 
mils, vile. 

REVISE, v. To review ; to re-examine. L. revisum, sup. of revideo ; 
comp. of re, again, and video, to see. 

REVIVE, v. To return to life ; to reanimate 5 to renew. L. revivo ; 

- re, again, and vivo, to live. 

REVOCATION, s. Act of revoking ; state of being revoked ; repeal, 
or reversal. L. revocatio ; revocatus, part, of revoco. See REVOKE. 

REVOKE, v. To recall, or repeal ; to reverse. L. revoco,- re, back, 
and voco, to call. 

REVOLT, v. To desert ; to refuse obedience 5 to turn away in dis- 
gust. F. revoller : L. revolutus, p. part, of revolvo,- re, back, and 
volvo, to roll. 

REVOLUTION, s. Course of any thing that returns to the point at 
which it began to move ; rotation ; change of government. F. re- 
volution : L. revolutus, p. part., of revolvo. See REVOLVE. 

REVOLVE, v. To roll in a. circle; to roll around ; to consider. L. 
revolvo ,- from re, back, or again, and volvo, to roll. 

RHABDOLOGY. s. Computation by Napier's rods. G. rhabdos, a rod:, 
and. logos, a word. 

RHAPSODY, s. A kind of poem, written without necessary con- 
nexion. G. rhapsodia .- rltapto, to weave, or make, and ode, a song„ 

RHETORIC, s. The art of speaking with propriety and elegance; ora- 
tory. G. rheturike ,- rhetor, an orator: from rheo, (dico) to speak. 

RHEUM, s. A thin watery matter, oozing through the glands. G. 
rheumu; from rheo, (fluo) to flow. 

RHEUMATISM, s. A painful distemper, supposed to proceed from 
acrid humours, or rheum. G. rheumatisrnos. See RHEUM. 

RHYME, s, Harmonical succession of sounds ; generally applied to 
that species of poetry, in which the last sound of one line corres- 
ponds with the last sound or syllable of another; but, the etymo- 
logy of the word includes even what is called blank verse* See 
RHYTHMUS. 

RHYTHMICAL, adj. Harmonical 5 having one sound proportioned to 
another. See RHYTHMUS. 

RHYTHMUS. s. Metre ; harmonical succession of sounds, either in 

prose or verse. L. rhythmus : G. rhuthmos, a rule. 
RIDICULE, s. Wit, or jeering, of that species which excites disre- 
spectful laughter. F. ridicule : L. ridiculum ,- from rideo, to laugh. 
RIDICULOUS, adj. Promoting ridicule ; worthy of contemptuous 

laughter. L. ridiculus. See RIDICULE. 
RIGHT, adj. According to rule; straight; proper; just; true: — the right 
hand is so called, because it is that which is used according to rule or 



rig— rud 

usual custom. Derived, through the Saxon, from the L. rectus, p. 
part, ofyego, to rule. 

RIGID, adj. StjfT; inflexible ; severe; extremely strict. F. rigide : 
L. rigidus ,■ from itfgeo, to be very cold, or frozen. 

RIGOROUS, adj. Extremely cold'; rig-id ; severe; extremely strict. 
See RIGOUR. * . 

RIGOUR, or RIGOR, s. Severe coldness; severity; extreme strictness. 
L. rigor ,■ rigen, to be very cold, or frozen. 

RISIBLE, adj. Having the faculty or power of laughing ; exciting 
laughter. F. risible : L. risibUis; rideo, to laugh. 

RITE. s. Solemn .act of religion ; external observance. L. ritus, a 
rite, or religious ceremony. 

RITUAL, s. A book in which are written the rites and observances of 
relig-ion. L. ritualis. See RITE. 

ROBUST, adj. Strong; sinewy; vigorous.- L. robust us ,- robur, oak, 
of the hardest kind. 

RODOMONTADE, s. A vain, noisy, bluster or boast ; a rant. F. ro- 
domontade ; from a boasting, boisterous hero, of the Italian poet, 
Ariosto, called Rodwnonte. 

ROGATION, s. Supplication ; church-litany. L. rogatio ,- from rogo, 
to entreat. 

ROSTRUM, s. The scaffold from which the Roman orators harangued. 
When Camillus overcame Antium, the capital of the Volsci, he car- 
ried the prows or beaks of their ships to Rome, and placed them in 
the Forum, on a tribunaL, — thence called Rostrum, signifying the 
beak of a ship. 

ROTARY, adj. Moving around as a wheel. L. rota, a wheel. 

ROTATION, s. The act of turning round like a wheel ; succession, so 
that when the last has completed a duty, the first will recommence, 
and each will continue to repeat in his turn. L. rotatio ,• from rota- 
tus, p. part, ofroio, to turn round like a wheel: rota, a wheel. 

ROTUNDA, or ROTUNDO. s. A circular building, such as the Pan- 
theon of Rome. L. rotundus, round: rota,, a wheel. 

ROTUNDITY, s. Roundness. L. rotunditas ,• rotundus, round ; rota, 
a wheel. 

ROUGE, s. Red paint, for the face. F. rouge,, red. 

ROUND, adj. Circular ; spherical ,- sounding smoothly ; not precisely 
expressed, but denoted, through convenience, chiefly by round 
numbers, or figures ; — as, 5000, instead of 5123. F. rond: L. ro- 
tundus ,- from rota, a wheel. 

ROUTE, s. Way ; road ; order, and direction for marching. F. router^ 
a way. 

ROUTINE, s. Established mode, or practice. F. See ROUTE. 

ROYAL, adj. Kingly ; regal. F. from roi, (formerly roy,) a king. 

RUBRIC, s. Directions, printed in books of law, and in prayer-books ? 
originally distinguished by being in red ink. L. rubrica,- ruber y 
red. 

RUBY. s. A precious stone, of a red colour. L. ruber, red. 

RUDE. adj. Untaught ; in a state of nature ; barbarous ; of coarse 
manners; uncivil ; unpolished; boisterous. L^rudis, new, or fresh. 

BUDIMENTS. s. First principles ; elements of science ; first parts of 
education. L, rudimentum, the first rules; rudis, new, or fresh. 



RUI— SAI 

RUIN. 5. Fall or destruction ; remains of something demolished. F, 

mine : L. ruina, from ruo, to fall. 
RULE. s. Government ; sway ; precept ; an instrument by which 

lines are drawn. L. regula ,- from rego, to govern. 
RUMINATE, v. To chew the cud ; to consider again and again. L. 

rummo, to chew over again. 
RUMOUR, s. Ropular report. L. rumor ; ruo, to rush. 
RUPTURE, s. Act of breaking or bursting ; state of being broken or 

burst ; breach of peace ; open hostility. F. rupture: L. ruptus, p. 

part, of rumpo, to break or burst. 
RURAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the country. F. rural: L. 

ruralis ,• from rim's, gen. of rus, the country. 
RUSE I)E GUEMRE. A trick of war ; a stratagem. F. ruse, a 

trick, de, of, guerre, war. 
RUSTIC, adj. Rural? clownish. L. rusticus ,- from rus, the country. 
RUSTICATE, v. To reside in the country ; 4 to acquire the manners of 

the country. L. rusticor. See RUSTIC* 

S. 

SACCHARINE, adj. Having the qualities of sugar. L. saccharum, 
sugar. 

SACERDOTAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the priesthood. L. 
sacerdotalis ; saceraos, a priest ; comp. of sacer, sacred, and dos t a 
portion. 

SACRAMENT. 8. A religious ceremony ; the eucharist. L. sacra- 
nientum; sacer, sacred. 

SACRED, adj. Holy ; devoted to religious uses ; not to be violated j 
consecrated. L. sacer, sacred. 

SACRIFICE, v. To offer to Heaven ; to kill, at the altar, as an atone- 
ment or propitiation 5 to destroy or give up, for the sake of some= 
thing else, or through rashness or misconduct. L. sacrijko ; sacer t 
sacred, and/aa'o, to make. 

SACRILEGE, s. The crime of appropriating to one's-self, what is de- 
voted to religion $ or of violating or profaning sacred things. L. 
saci'ilegium ,• comp. of sacer t holy, and lego, to gather, or steal. 

SACRISTY, s. An apartment, in which are deposited the consecrated 
vessels or moveables of a church. F. sacristie : L. sacris, gen. of 
sacer, sacred. 

SAFE. adj. Free from danger ; free from hurt; conferring security: — 
s. a place for meat, &c. F. sauf: L. sahus, safe. 

SAGACIOUS, adj. When applied to mere animals, denotes quick of 
scent, or having a more extended mental faculty than is usually pos- 
sessed by brutes. — Men are sagacious when they are quick of 
thought, or acute in discovering. L. sagax, quick-scented. 

SAGE. s. A philosopher ; a man of gravity and wisdom. F. See 
SAGACIOUS. 

SAGITTARIUS, s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. sagit* 
tarius, an archer: sagitta, an arrow. 

SAINT, s. A person revered for piety and virtue. F. saint : L. sanfc 
tv.s, holy, or pious: from the p. part, of sancio, to. make sacred. 



SAL— SAN 

SALAMMONIAC. s. A species of salt, formerly dug- from the sands in 
some parts of Africa ; an artificial salt, named muriate of ammonia. 
L. sal, salt, and G. aminos, sand. 

SALARY, s. Stated hire ; annual or stated payment. F. salaire : L. 
salarium ,• from sal, salt ; because the Roman soldiers were origi- 
nally paid in salt.— -This is the derivation given of salary; by both 
ancient and modern writers ; but the author of this work is inclined 
to question its correctness. 

SALIANT. adj. In heraldry, denotes in a leaping- posture. F. See 
SALIENT. 

SALIENT, adj. Leaping* ; moving- by leaps 5 — in fortification, pro- 
jecting-. L. saliens, part, of salio, to leap. 

SALIFIABLE, adj. Capable of combining with acids, and forming 
salts. L. sal, salt, and^So, to become. 

SALINE, adj. Partaking of the properties of salt. L. salinus /-from 
sal, salt. 

SALIVA, s. That which flows from the mouth ; juice separated by 
the salival glands. L. saliva, spittle. 

SALIVATE, v. To purge by the salival glands. L. salivo. See 
SALIVA. 

SALLY, s. Sortie ; rapid egress, as from a place besieged ; volatile or 
sprightly exertion of wit. F. saillie .• L. salio, to leap. * 

SALUBRIOUS, adj. Wholesome ; promoting health. L. salubris ,- 
solus, health. 

SALUTARY, adj. Contributing to safety; advantageous. L. salutarist 
from salutis, gen. of salus, health, or safety. 

SALUTE, v. To greet ; to hail ; to honour in a military way, by a dis- 
charge of guns, a present' of arms, &c. L. saluto,- salus, health. 

SALVABLE. adj. Possible to be saved. L. salvo, to save. 

SALVAGE, s. Recompense for saving goods from a wreck, or a ship 
from being lost, when found at sea without any living person on 
board. F. from the L. salvo, to save. 

SALVATION, s. Preservation; saving of the soul from eternal misery. 
L. salvo,. to save. 

SALVE, s. A remedy ; a remedial plaster. L. salvo, to save. 

SALVO, s. An exception ; a reservation. L. abl. of salvus, safe; that 
is, saved, or excepted. 

SANATIVE, adj. Curing ; healing. L. sane, to heal. 

SANCTIFY, v. To make holy. F '. sandijier .« L. sandijico ; sandus, 
holy, aw&fati'o, to make. 

SANCTIMONY, s. Holiness; appearance of holiness. L. sandlmonia ; 
sandus, holy. See SAINT. 

SANCTION, s. Solemn confirmation; countenance. L. sandio ; 
sandus, p. part, of sand 0, to make sacred. 

SANCTITY, s. Holiness ; purity. L. sanditas.. See SAINT. 

SANCTUARY, s, A sacred or holy place ; properly the most retired 
and awful p;\rt of a temple \ sacred asylum. L. sanduarium ; sane- 
his, p. part, of sand 0, to make sacred. 

SANCTUM SANCTORUM. The Holy of Holies, or most holy 
place ; that part of a temple which is prohibited to b& entered, or 
looked into. L. 

SANE. adj. Healthy ; of sound mind. L. sanus, whole, or sound. 



SAN— SAT 

SJKG FTIOII). s. Coolness ; indifference ; apathy. F. sang, blood, 
and fro' (J, cold- 

SANGUINARY, adj. Bloody ; cruel ; murderous. L. sanguinarius ; 
sanguinis, g-en. of sanguis, blood. 

SANGUINE, 'adj. Med ; having' the colour of blood; abounding with 
blood ; warm ; ardent 5 confident. L. sanguineus j from sanguinis, 
gen. ofSprigitis, blood, 

SANITARY, adf Conducive to health. See SANl-TY. 

SANITY. .5. Soundness of mind-s opposed to insanity. L. sanitas. See 
SANE. 

SLBf&S. prep. Without. F. 

SANSCULOTTES. s. A reproachful name given to one of the parties 
of France, in the period which succeeded the revolution of 1789 
F. sans, without, culotte, breeches. 

SAPIENT, adj. Wise. L. sapiens, part, of sap i 'a, to be wise. 

SAPONACEOUS, adj. Soapy; having the qualities of soap. ~L.su 
ponis, gen. of sapo, soap. 

SARCASM, s. Bitter and personal satire ; a taunt. F. sarcasme .■ L. 
sareusmu-s ; G. sarkasmos ,■ from sarkazo, to pluck or pull away the 
flesh: sarx, flesh. 

SARCOPHAGUS, s. Originally signified a stone, in which dead bo- 
dies, when inclosed, consumed and wasted away, bones and all, ex- 
cept the teeth, in about forty days. It now signifies a sepulchre, of 
tiie usual kind. L. sarccphagtcs : G. sarx, flesh, and phago, to eat. 

SARCOTIC. adj. Incarnative ; having the quality of filling up sores 
with new flesh. G. sarx, flesh. 

SARDONIC, adj. This word, when applied to grinning or laughter, 
means forced or affected. — An herb grows in Sardinia, of so bitter 
-a taste, as to cause convulsive laughter, according- to the* ancients ; 
hence, the.L. expression, Sardonicus risus. 

Imo ego Sardois videar tibi amarior Jierbis. 

Virg. Buc Eel. vii. Line 41. 

SATED, part adj. Satiated; glutted. See SATIATE. 

SATELLITE, s. An attendant, (in an evil sense ;) a small planet re- 
volving around a larger. L. satelles, a species of soldiers, or a 
partisan. 

SATIATE, v. To satisfy ; to glut, or fill bej^ond natural desire. L. 
satio : G. satto, to burthen. 

SATIETY, s. Fulness, beyond desire or pleasure ; more than enough, 
L. satietas. See SATIATE. 

SATIRE, s. A poem, (or prosaic discourse,) in which wickedness or 
folly is censured. L. satyra, or satira : G. safuros, a sylvan god. 
This kind of poem is of very ancient date ; and (according to Hor- 
ace) was introduced, into the Greek tragedies, by way of interlude, 
to relieve the audience from the force of those strokes which were 
thought too deep and affecting. In these satirical interludes, the 
scene was laid in the country, and the persons were rural deities, 
satyrs, peasants, &c. 

SATISFACTION, s. Act of fully satisfying, or state of being satisfied; 
release from suspense ; recompense for an injury. L. satisfaction 
See SATISFY. 



SAT— SCI 

SATISFY, v. To content ; to recompense ; to appease by punishment* 
to free from doubt, perplexity, or suspense ; to convince. L. salis- 
fctc/'o ,■ comp. of satis, enough, and Jacio, to make. ' 

SATURATE, to: To impregnate, until no more can be received or inv 
bibed. L. suticra ; from satur, full-fed. 

SATURNTAN. adj. Happy; golden; used by tiie poets in relation to 
times of felicity, such as are fabulously" related to have been in the 
days of Saturn, when he is said to have reigned in Italy. 

SATURNINE, adj. Gloomy ; grave; of severe temper; supposed to 
be born under the dominion of the planet Saturn. L. saturninus. 

SAVAGE, adj. Wild; uncultivated; uncivilized; barbarous; cruel, 

F. sauvage: L. sylva, a wood. 

SAVE. v. To preserve from danger or destruction ; to reserve or lay 
by ; to except. F. saucer : L. salvo, to preserve. 

SAVE. prep. Except; not including*. Imperative of the verb save. 

SCALADE. s. Entry of a fortified place by means of ladders. F. from 
the L. scala, a ladder. 

SCALE, v. To enter by means of a ladder ; to climb as by a ladder. 
L. scala^ a ladder. 

SCALE. 5. Regular gradation : regular series, rising like a ladder ; a 
figure subdivided by lines like the steps of a ladder, used in mea- 
suring-proportions ; series of harmonic proportions, &c. L. scalu, 
a ladder. 

SCANDAL, s. Offence given by the faults of others ; reproachful as- 
persion ; infamy. L. scandulum .- G. skandulon ,■ skazo, to halt, or 
be maimed. 

SCENE, s. Originally signified that part in front of a theatre, assigned 
for the decorations. It now denotes a painted representation, on 
boards, or canvas; also a division of the play, &x. L. scena : G. 
skene, a. small wooden house or tent. See Rollin's An. His. 1 vol, 89. 

SCENT, v. To smell ; to perceive by the nose ; to perfume. F« 
scentir ,• from the L. sentio, to perceive. 

SCEPTIC, s. One who assents or believes only after seeing unques- 
tionable evidence. F, sceptique .-■ G. skepiikos ,- from skepidmai, to 
look around. 

SCEPTRE, s. A kind of royal staff, or batoon, now used only on so- 
lemn occasions. L. sceptrum .• G. sk-eptron ; from skepto, to lean 
upon. 

SCHEME, s. Pian ; project ; contrivance. G. schema, a form, or 
figure. 

SCHISM, s. Separation, or division, arising from discordant opinions. 

G. schisvna ,• from schizo f to split. 

SCHISMATIC, s. One who has separated in consequence of holding 

. a different opinion. See SCHISM. 
SCHOLAR, s. Member of a school ; one who learns of a master ; a 

disciple ; a man of letters. See SCHOOL. 
SCHOLIUM, s. A note ; an explanatory observation; pi. scholia. L. 

from the G. scholim. See SCHOOL. 
SCHOOL, s. A place of discipline and instruction; system of doctrine, 

peculiar to any teacher. L. schola : G. schole, retirement, leisure. 
SC1ATER. s. An instrument used in designing. * G. skia, a shadow. 



SGT— SCU 

, SCIENCE, s. Knowledge; any species of knowledge. Science is 

theoretical knowledge ; Art is practical knowledge. Botany is a 

science : Gardening, an art. F. science : L. scientist ,• sciens, part, of 

•vc'o, to know. 
SCIENTIFIC, or SCIENTIFIOAL. adj. Producing demonstrative or 

certain knowledge ; philosophical; not mechanical. F. scientijique : 

L. scientia, knowledge, andfacio, to make. See SCIENCE. 
SCINTILLA, s. A spark ; an iota. L. scintilla, a spark. 
SCINTILLATE, v. To emit sparks. L. scintillo ; scintilla, a spark: 

scindo, to break off, or divide, 
SCIOLIST, adj. One who knows many things superficially. L. scio, 

to know. 
SCIOPTIC. adj. Pertaining to an instrument used in the camera ob- 

scura. G. skia, a shadow, optomai, to see. 
SCIRE FACL1S. The name given to a judicial writ, ordering the 

defendant to show cause, why the execution should not be made 

out of a judgment which has passed, &c. L. facias, you must cause, 

scire, to know : scio, and facie. 
SCISSORS, s. A sort of instrument for cutting. L. scissus, p. part, of 

scindo, to cut. 
SCLEROTIC, adj. Hard ; an epithet applied to one of the coats of the 

eye. F. sekrotique : G. skelos, hard. 
. SCOPE. s> Aim; intention; room, &c. L. scopus : G. skeptomai, to 

look. 
SCORIA, s. Dross; recrement. L. scoria: Q. skoria ,- skor, dung. 
SCORPIO, s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. scorpio, a 

scorpion. 
SCOTOMY. s. A dizziness of the head, which causes dimness of sight. 

G. skotoma ,- skoto-o, to darken. 
SCOURGE, s. A whip ; an instrument of punishment ; a punishment; 

one that harasses, or destroys. F. zscourgge : L. corrigia ; from 

corrigo, to correct: con, with, and rego, to rule. 
SCRIBBLE, v. To write without use or elegance ; to write carelessly 

or ill. L. scribillo ; scribo, to write. 
SCRIBE, s. A writer. This term was much used before the invention 

of printing. L. scriba.,- scribo, to write. 
SCRIPTURE, s. Sacred writing ; (plural,) the Bible, L. scriptura ; 

scribo, to write. 
• SCRIVENER, s. One who writes contracts; one who writes under the 

superintendence of an attorney. L. scribo, to write. 
SCRUPLE, s. Doubt; difficulty of determination, generally respecting 

minute things ; twenty grains ; proverbially, any small quantity. L. 

scrupulusj from scrutor, to search diligently, or explore. 
SCRUTABLE. adj. Discoverable by scrutiny. See SCRUTINY. 
SCRUTINY, s. Minute search, or examination. L. scrutinium ,• scrutor, 

to search diligently, or explore: from scruta, lumber ; meaning to 

search amongst rubbish, 
SCRUTOIRE. s. A cabinet for writings, F. ecritoire, (formerly escri- 
toire:) ecrire, to write. 
SCULPTOR, s. A carver ; one who cuts wood or stone into images* 

L. sculptor ; sculptus, p, part, ofsculpo, to carve, or grave. 



._, 



SCU— SEU 

SCURRILOUS, adj. Grossly opprobrious ; vile; low. L. scurrilis , • 
scurra, a scoffer, or buffoon. 

SEBACIC. «<//. Sebacic acid is ppocured from animal fat. L. sebaceus; 
sebum, tallow- 

SEBATES. s. Salts formed by tbe sebacic acid, wben combined with 
alkalies, earths, and metallic oxides. See SEBACIC. 

SECANT, s. A right line drawn from the centre of a circle, meeting- 
and cutting another line, without it, called the tangent. L. secans, 
part, of seco, to cut. 

SECEDE, v. To withdraw, in consequence of holding a different opin- 
ion. L. secedo ; se, denoting separation, and cedo, to depart. 

SECESSION, s. Act of seceding. L. secess'io. See SECEDE. 

SECLUDE, v. To shut up, or confine from ; to withdraw ; to exclude. 
L. secludo; comp. of se, denoting separation, and claudo, to shut. 

SECOND, adj. Following next in order to the fust ; the ordinal of 
two; inferior. F. second: L. secundus ,- from sequor, to -follow. 

SECOND, s. One who is not a principal, but a supporter or abettor ; 
one who accompanies another in a duel ; a sixtieth part of a minute, 
formerly called a second minute. See the adjective. 

SECONDARY, adj. Not primary ; following the first ; subordinate ; 
not of the first order. L. secundarius. See SECOND. 

SE'CRET. adj. Retired ; private ; unseen ; hidden ; unrevealed. F. 
secret : L. secretus, part, of secerno, to put asunder: se, asunder, and • 
cerno, to sift, or separate. 

SECRETARY, s. One intrusted with, the secrets, or the management 
of business ; one who writes for another ; a writing desk, or cabinet 
for holding valuable papers. L. secretarius. See SECRET. 

SECRETE 7 , v. To hide ; (in the animal economy,) to separate. See 
SE'CRET. 

SECRETION, s. That agency in tlie animal economy which consists 
in secreting or separating the various fluids of the body ; the fluid 
secreted. See SECRETE. 

SECT. s. A separate body, or subdivision of persons, holding an opin- 
ion different from the societv from which they have separated. F. 
secte : L. secta. See SECTION. 

SECTION, s. A part divided from the rest ; a division. L. sectio , 
sectus, p. part, of seco, to cut. 

SECTOR, s. In geometry, a mathematical instrument, for describing 
or measuring angles. L. from sectus f p. part, of seco, to cut, or 
divide. 

SECULAR, adj. Relating to affairs of this world ; not spiritual: — in 
the church of Rome, not bound by monastic rules. L. secularis , 
seculum, ail age or period of man's life: secula, a scythe, (from seco* ■ 
to cut;) alluding to the emblematical scythe of Time. " 

SECUND fJM ARTEM. According to art. L. 

SECURE, adj. Using no care to avert danger; without fear; confident; 
safe; sufficiently confined to prevent escape. L. securus / se, asun- 
der, and cura, care. 

SEDATE, adj. Still ; calm ; serene ; grave. L. sedatus, p. part, of 
sedo, to allay: sedeo, to sit. 

SEDENTARY, adj. Passed in sitting still ; without motion or action 
Lis sedtntarius ; sedeo, to sit. 



SED— SEN 

SEDIMENT. .?. That which subsides to, or rests at the bottom. F, 
sediment: L. sediment um ,• sedeo, to sit, or rest on. 

SEDITION, s. Mutiny; treasonable conspiracy. L. seditio,- from 
sedeo, to sit: that is, to sit together, or convene. 

SEDUCE, v. To lead from duty or allegiance ; to allure ; to betray ; 
to dishonour. L. seduco ,• se, asunder, and duco, to lead. 

SEDUCTION, s. Act of seducing. F. seduction: L. seductus, p. part. 
of seduco. See SEDUCE. 

SEDULOUS, adj. Being in the habit of close and regular application 
to any business ; assiduous ; very industrious. L. sedulus ,• sedeo, 
to sit. 

SEGMENT, s. A figure contained between a chord and an arch of a 
circle, or so much of a circle as is cut off by the chord. F. segment: 
L. segment um ,• from seco, to cut. 

SELECT, adj. Chosen ; chosen on account of superior excellence, 
L. selectus, p. part, of selego ,• se, asunder, and lego, (legere,) to 
choose. 

SELENOGRAPHY, s. A description of the moon. G. selene, the 
moon, and grapho, to write. 

SEMBLANCE, s. Likeness ; resemblance ; figure. F. semblance : 
L. similis, like. 

SEMI. A word which, used in composition, signifies half; as, semi- 
diameter, half the diameter. L. 

SEMINAL, adj. Relating or pertaining t© seed. L. seminalis; seminis, 
gen. of semen, seed. 

SEMINARY, s. The ground in which seeds are sown, with a design 
of transplanting their produce ;' place of education, where the seeds 
of knowledge, and of future usefulness and good conduct, are sown. 
L. seminarium ; from semen, seed. 

SENATE. 6-. An assembly of state counsellors or legislators, chosen on 
account of their mature age, and consequently greater experience, 
wisdom, and prudence. L. senatus ,• senex, an old man. 

SENILE, adj. Relating or pertaining- to old age. L. senilis ,- senium, 
old age. 

SENIOR, adj. The elder, (opposed to junior.) L. senioi', compar. of 
senex, old. 

SENSATION, s. Perception or feeling through the senses. L. sensatio. 
See SENSE. 

SENSE, s. Faculty or power by which external objects are perceived 
or felt by the mind. The senses are five in number ; — sight, touch, 
hearing, smell, and taste. But this term is applied more generally 
in common discourse, though restricted, as here defined, by -meta- 
physicians. L. sensus ,• from a part, of sentio, to discern by the 
senses. 

SENSIBLE, adj. Having the power of perceiving by the senses ; per- 
ceptible by the senses 5 state of having perceived by the senses. 
See SENSE. 

SENSITIVE, adj. Having sense or perception, but not reason; affect- 
ed by contact, or the touch, as a sensitive plant. F. sensitif. See 
SENSE. 

SENSORIUM, or SENSORY, s. That part whence the senses transmit 
their perceptions to the mind ; the seat of sense, L. See SENSE. 



SEN— SER 

SENSUAL, adj. Affecting- or pertaining- to the senses, but not to the 
mind ; carnal ; luxurious ; lewd. T.sensuel. See SENSE. 

SENTENCE, s. Determination or decision, as of a judge ; doom ; so 
many words as express a sentiment or occurrence fully, and accord- 
ing to the rules of grammar. F. sente?ice: L. senfentia,- from sentio, 
to be sensible of, or think. 

SENTENTIOUS, adj. Abounding with sentences, axioms, and max- 
ims, — short and energetic. L. sententiosits- See SENTENCE. 

SENTIENT, adj. Perceiving ; having perception. L. sentiens, part, 
of sentio, to perceive through the senses. 

SENTIMENT, s. Conception of the mind ; notion ; opinion ; meaning, 
considered distinctly from the lang-uage-. F. sentiment .- L. sentio, 
to feel, or think. 

SENTINEL, s. One who watches or guards, to prevent surprise or 
theft. F. sentinelh: L. sentio, to discern. 

SENTRY, s. A sentinel. See SENTINEL. - 

SEPARATE, v. To sever a part from the rest ; to disunite ; to with- 
draw. L. separo i se, asunder, and paro, to make, or dispose. 

SEPTANGULAR, adj. Having seven angles. L. septcm, seven, and 
angulus, an angle. 

SEPTEMBER, s. The ninth month ; formerly, the seventh, when the 
year began in March. L. from septem, seven. 

SEPTENNIAL, adj. Lasting seven years $• happening once in seven 
years. L. septennis ? septem, seven, and annus, a year. 

SEPTIC, or SEPTICAL. adj. Corrupting ; causing putrefaction. L. 
septicus: G. septikos; from sepo, to putrefy. 

SEPTUAGINT. s. The ancient Greek version of the Old Testament ;. 
so called, as being the work of about seventy (seventy-two) inter- 
preters. L. septuuginta^ seventy. 

SEPTUPLES, adj. Sevenfold. L. septuplex ; comp. of septem, seven, 
and duplex, double. 

SEPULCHRE, s. A place inclosed for burial. L- sepidcrum ,• sepultus 3 
p. part, of sepelio, to bury: from sepio, to inclose, or hedge in. 

SEPULTURE, s. Burial in a sepulchre. F. sepulture: L. sepultura, 
See SEPULCHRE. 

SEQUACIOUS, adj. Following; attendant; pliant. L. sequacis, gen. 
of sequax ; sequor, to follow. 

SEQUEL, s. Succeeding part ; consequence ; event. F. sequelte ; 
L. sequor, to follow. 

SEQUENCE, s. Order of succession ; series. L. sequens, part, of se- 
quor, to follow. 

SERENE, adj. Calm; placid; unruffled. L. serenus,. clear, without 
clouds. 

SERIATIM. According to place or seniority. L. from series, an 
order, concatenation, or course. 

SERIES, s. Connected succession; order; course. L. series ,• from 
sero, to lay in order, or join. 

SERIOUS, adj. Grave; solemn; in earnest; important. L. serius; 
sero, to lay in order. 

SERMON, s. A religious or moral discourse, pronounced or composed 
generally by a clergyman. F. sermon ; L. sermo, discourse,, talk. 



SER— SEX 

SEROUS, adj. Thin; watery; relating or pertaining" to the serum. 

L. serosus ; serum, whey. 
SERPENT, s. An animal that moves by undulation, without leg's. L. 

serpens, part, of serpo, to creep. 
SERPENTINE, adj. Resembling- a serpent ; winding- like a serpent. 

L. serpentinus. See SERPENT. 
SERRATE, or SERRATED, adj. Indented like the edge of a saw. 

E. serratus ; serra, a saw. 

SERUM, s. In anatomy, a thin, transparent, saltish liquor, which makes 

a considerable quantity of the mass of blood. L. serum, whey. 
SERVANT, s. One who is under an obligation to work for another. 

F. servant: See SERVE. 

SERVE, v. To work for ; to attend at command ; to obey ; to supply 

with food or table furniture, ceremoniously ; to supply ; to aid ; to 

promote ; to content ; to deliver, as in the case of a summons. L. 

servio ,■ servus, a bond servant: servo, to keep, heed, or defend. 
SERVICE, s. Act of serving- ; time of serving ; public office of devo- 
tion ; employment ; benefit, &,c. F. service ; L. servitium. See 

SERVE. 
SERVILE, adj. Slavish ; relating to a slave ; dependent ; mean ; fawn* 

ing or cringing. L. servilis. See SERVE. 
SERVITOR, s. One who acts under another ; one of the lowest order 

in a university. F. serviteur. See SERVE. 
SESS. s. See CESS. 
SESSION, s. A stated assembly of magistrates, legislators, divines, 

&c. ; the space during which the assembly sits. F. session: L. ses- 

sio ',■ from sedeo, to sit. 
SETACEOUS, adj. Bristly; set with strong hairs; consisting of strong 

hairs. L. seta, a bristle. 
SETON. s. A hair, or thread of silk, inserted in the flesh, to cause a 

discharge of humour. F. seton : L. seta, a bristle, or strong hair. 
SEVER, v. To separate; to disjoin. F. sewer: L. separo; se, asunder, 

and paro, to make. 
SEVERAL, adj. Different ; distinct ; particular ; single ; divefs ; 

many. See SEVER. 
SEX. s. The property by which any animal or plant is male or female; 

gender, as regards male and female. F. sexe : L. sexus ,• sectus, p. 

part, ofseco, to cut, or divide. 
SEXAGESIMA. adj. Relating to the second Sunday before Lent ; so 

called as being about the sixtieth day before Easter. L. fem. of 

sexagesimus, the sixtieth. 
SEXANGULAR. adj. Having six angles. L. sex, six, and an^ulus, 

an angle. 
SEXENNIAL, adj. Lasting six years ; happening once in six years. 

L. sex, six, and annus, a year. 
SEXTANT, s. The sixth part of a circle ; an astronomical instrument 

formed like a quadrant, (of 90 degrees, ) but the limb of which com- 
prehends 60 degrees, or the sixth part of a circle. L. sextans, a 

sixth part: sex, six. 
SEXTELE. adj. Relating to the position of two planets, when at 60 

degrees distance (the sixth of a circle,) from each other. L. sextilisj 

from sex, six. 

S2 



SEX— SIN 

SEXTUPLE, adj. Sixfold; six times told. L. sextuplus; sw, six, 
and duplex, double. 

SIBILANT, adj. Hissing". L. sibilant, part, of sibilo, to hiss. 

SICCATION. s. Act of drying 1 . L. siccatus, p. part, of sicco, to dry. 

SIDERAL. adj. Starry ; astral. L. sideralis ,• sideris, gen. of sidus, a 
star. 

SIDEROGRAPHIC adj. Relating to the art of engraving or impress- 
ing letters and other figures on iron or steel ; an art brought to a 
very high state of perfection, if not invented, by Perkins 8c Co. of 
Philadelphia, G. sideros, iron, and graplio, to write. 

SIGN. s. A mark ; that by which any thing- is shown ; an omen. F. 
signe : L. sighum, a mark. 

SIGN. v. To affix or subjoin one's hand- writing" or seal, as evidence of 
identity or ratification ; to signify. See the substantive. 

SIGNAL, s. Notice given by a sign ; a sign that gives notice ; adj. 
conspicuous j remarkable. F. signal. See-SIGN. 

SIGNATURE, s. A sign or mark impressed upon any thing" ; sign- 
manual. F. signature: L. signatura. See SIGN, 

SIGNET, s. A seal, generally used for the seal-manual of a prince. F* 
signette ,' dimin. of signe, a mark. See SIGN. 

SIGNIFY, v. To declare by some sign or token ; to express ; to im- 
port. F. sigriifier : L. signijfieo ; comp. of signum, a sign, and facio, 
to make, 

SILEX. s. Flint. L. 

SILICEOUS, adj. Having the nature of silex, or flint. L. siliceus, or 
siKcius :■ silicis, gen. of silex, a flint stone.. 

SILVAN, or SYLVAN., adj. Woody ; shady ; relating" or pertaining- 
to woods. L. silva, or sylva? a wood. 

SIMILAR, adj. Like; resembling. F. similuire: L. similis, like. 

SIMILE'', s. A comparison, by whieh any thing is illustrated or made 
more striking to the understanding. L. similis, like. 

SIMILITUDE, s. Likeness; resemblance; comparison* L. similitudo/ 
from similis, like. 

SIMONY, s. The erime of buying- or selling church preferments, or of 
corruptly ordaining- or licensing any person for the church ; so call- 
ed, from the resemblance it is said to bear to the sin of Simon Ma- 
gus, who, upon seeing the miraculous effects of the laying on of the 
apostles' hands, offered them money; saying,. "Give me, also, this 
power,'* &c. — Acts, viii. 18. 

SIMPLE, adj. Single ; uneompounded ; plain ; artless ; unskilled * 
silly. F. simple: L.. simplex ; comp. of sine, without,. and^»//co, to. 
fold. 

SIMULATION, s. Act of assuming- the appearance of some particular 
character, with the intention of deceiving. F. simulation : L. sirnu* 
latio ; simulatus, p. part, of sirnulo ,- similis, like. 

SIMULTANEOUS, adj. Acting together ; acting at the same time-. 
L. simultaneus ,- from simul, together, and leneo, to hold. 

SINECURE, s. An office which has revenue without any care or em- 
ployment. L. sine, without, cura, care. 

SINE DIE. When a business is adjourned sine die, no day is ap- 
pointed for its reconsideration. L. §i?ie r without, die, (abl. of dies,) 
a day. 



SIX— SOL 

SINE QUA NON. A sine qua nmi (without which, not,) is an incTi-- 
pensable condition, — without which being" acceded, one of the par- 
ties is predetermined not to sign a treaty or compact: thus, the 
"acknowledgment of the independence of the United States" was 
a sine qua non, proposed and obtained by the American commis 
sioners at Paris in 1782-3. L. 

SINGLE, adj. Not more than one ; unconnected ,- particular ; indi- 
vidual ; alone ; unmarried. L. singulus, every, each one, one by 
one. 

SINGULAR, adj. Single ,• expressing only one ; not plural ; unex- 
ampled ; remarkable ; unique. L. singularis. See SINGLE. 

SINISTER, adj. Left, as opposed to right ; evil designed ; unfair. L. 

SINISTROUS. adj. Absurd ; perverse ; evil designed. See SI- 
NISTER. 

SINUATED. adj. Bent in and out. L. sinuatus, p. part, of sinuo, to 
wind: sinus, a bosom, or bay. 

SINUOUS, adj. Bending in and out. L. sinus, a bosom, or bay. 

SIR. s. A word of respect, used in addressing a man above the vulgar 
class ; the title of a baronet, or of a knight. F. sire. See SIRE. 

SIRE. s. A father; a word of respect, used in addressing- a prince. F. 
sire: L. senior, elder. 

SIREN, s. A goddess, (one of three,) who is fabulously related to 
have enticed men by singing, and then devoured them ; any mis- 
chievous enticer. L. siren. The name, according to Bochart, who 
derives it from the Phcnician language, implies a songstress. Its 
meaning is, therefore, synonymous with the G. surizzo, to play on a 
pipe. 

SITE. s. Situation ; local position. L. situs ,- from situs, (p. part, of 
sino,) set, or placed. 

SITUATION, s. Place ; position j state. F. situation. See SITE. 

SKELETON, s. The bones of a body, preserved or remaining, as 
nearly as possible, in their natural position ; the frame of any thing, 
in an unfinished or decayed state ; officers of a regiment which has 
been wasted in service. G. from skeh, to dry. 

SKEPTIC. See SCEPTIC. 

SOCIAL, adj. Fond of society; relating- to society; familiar; cheerful; 
agreeable. L. socialis ,- from socius, a companion. 

SOCIETY, s. Union of many in one general interest ; people thus 
united ; company. F. societe : L. societas ,- socius, a companion. 

SOI BISANT. Self-called ; as, the soi-disant baronet. F. 

SOJOURN, v. To dwell only for a time ; to live as from home. P. 
sej 'ourner ; journ^e, a journey yjour, a day. 

SOLACE, v. To comfort ; to cheer. L. s&hr, to comfort. 

SOLAR, adj. Relating or pertaining to the sun. ^.Solaris,- sol, the 
sun. 

SOLDIER, s. A warrior. Originally, one who served for pay. L. sol- 
durius. The most rational derivation of the word Soldier, is to be 
found in Cxsar's Com. De Bell. Gall. Lib. iii. xxii. — "Atque in 
ea re, omnium nostrorum intentis animis, alia ex parte oppidi Ad- 
scantuannus, qui summam imperii tenebat, cum DC devotis, quos 
illi (Galli) Soldurios appellant: quorum hsec est conditio, ut omnibus 
In vita commodis una cum his fruantur, quorum se amicitis dedide- 



SOL— SOL 

Dirt: si quid iis per vim accidat, ant eundem casum una ferant, aut 
sibi mortem consciscant: neque adliuc hominum memoria repertus 
est quisquam, qui, eo interfecto cujus se amicitire devovisset, mori 
recusaret." — "And, when the attention of all was turned to that 
affair, Adscantuannus, who held the chief command, came out, from 
another part of the town, with 600 determined men, whom they 
(the Gauls) call SOLDURH: whose condition is this, that, in every 
circumstance of life, they enjoy the same lot with them to whom 
they have attached themselves in friendship. If any violence is done 
to them, they either suffer the same misfortune, or devote them- 
selves to death for them: nor as yet, within the memory of man, has 
any one been found, who, the person being slain, to whom he had 
devoted himself in friendship, had refused to die." 

SOLE. s. That part which touches the ground. L. solum, that which 
sustains or bears any thing on it ; the ground. 

SOLE. adj. Single 5 only; (in law,) not married. Old F. sole: L. 
solus, alone. 

SOLECISM. 5. Unfitness of one word to another ; impropriety in lan- 
guage. L. solcecismus : G. soloikismos : Solos, a Grecian city of 
Cilicia, in Asia Minor, the inhabitants of which degenerated, in lan- 
guage, from the purity of the Attic dialect ; hence, the Athenians 
applied the term, soloikoi, to all people of barbarous speech, and to 
all barbarians. 

SOLEMN, adj. Religiously grave ; awful ; serious. L. solemnis, or 
solennis, yearly, or appointed: that is, done every year, at an ap- 
pointed time, in the manner of a religious ceremony: solus, only, 
and annus, a year. 

SOLICIT, v. To entreat ; to implore ; to ask. L. solicito, to stir or 
dig up the ground, to disturb, to be busy, to trouble, to press, to be 
urgent: solum, the ground, and cito, to excite, or stir up. 

SOLICITOUS, adj. Anxious ; anxiously desirous ; concerned. L. 
solicitus. See SOLICIT. 

SOLID, adj. Not liquid ; compact ; not hollow ; full of matter ; strong; 
firm ; having all the geometrical dimensions ; sound ; real ; grave. 
L. solidus, substantial. 

SOLIDUNGULOUS. adj. Whole-hoofed, not cloven. L. solidus, 
solid, and ungulus, a hoof. 

SOLILOQUY, s. A discourse made by one, in private, to himself. F. 
soliloque .• L. solus, alone, and loquor, to speak. 

SOLIPEDE. s. An animal whose feet are not cloven. L. solidi, t 
pedes, pi. of solidus, solid, and pes, a foot. 

SOLITARY, adj. Alone ; retired ; done or passed without compa; 
single. L. solitarius,- solus, alone. 

SOLITUDE, s. Solitary life ; state of being alone ; retirement ; a de- 
sert. L. solitudo ; solus, alone. 

SOLO. s. A tune designed for a single instrument, or a single voice. 
Italian ; from the L. solus, alone. 

SOLSTICE, s. A point in the ecliptic, beyond which the sun does not 
go ; or, rather, beyond which the earth does not proceed, in its an- 
nual motion around the sun. L. solstitium ; comp. of sol, the sun> 
and status, part, of sto, to stand. 



SOL— SPA 

SOLSTITIAL, ad;'. Relating" or pertaining to the solstice. L. SQlstiti.- 

alis. See SOLSTICE. 
SOLUBLE, adj. Capable of being- dissolved. L. solubilis ,• from soho, 

to loosen, or melt. 
SOLUTION. 5. Act of dissolving- ; matter dissolved ; explanation. F. 

solution: L. solutio ; solutus, p. part, of solvo, to loosen, untie, or 

melt. 
SOLVE, v. To explain ; to make intelligible. L. solvo, to loosen, or 

untie. 
SOLVENT, adj. Having the power of dissolving- ; having* the means 

of paying- debts contracted, and thus dissolving- an obligation. L. 

solvens, part, of solvo, to loosen, discharge, or melt. 
SOMNAMRULATE. v. To walk while asleep. L. somnus, sleep, and 

ambulo, to walk. 
SOMNIFEROUS, adj. Causing- sleep. L. sopinifer : comp. of somnus, 

sleep, and fero, to bring-. 
SOMNIFIC, adj. Causing- sleep. L. somnus, sleep,, and facio, to 

make. 
SOMNOLENCY, s. Sleepiness; inclination to sleep. L. somnolentia: 

somnus, sleep. 
SONATA. *. A tune. Italian ; from the L. sono, to sound. 
SONNET, s. A short poem, or species of song-. F. sonnet : L. sorw, 

to sound. 
SOPHISM, s. A fallacious argument, ingeniously framed ; an unsound. 

subtlety. G. sophisma, something- invented: sophia, wisdom. 
SOPHIST, s. A professor of philosophy ; a framer of sophisms, ox 

prating- caviller. G. sophistes ; sophia, wisdom. 
SOPHISTER. s. A disputant, fallaciously subtle 5 one who frames 

sophisms ; a particular sank in some universities. See SOPHIST. 
SOPHISTICATED, part adj. Fallacious; spurious; adulterated. See 

SOPHIST, and SOPHISTER. 
SOPHISTRY, s. Fallacious argumentation ; logical exercise. See 

SOPHIST. 
SOPORIFIC, adj. Causing sleep. L. sopor, sleep, smd facio, to make. 
SORCERER, s. A pretended enchanter or magician. L. sortiarius ,• 

from sortis, gen. of sors, a lot, or chance. 
SORDID, adj. Mean; vile; base; covetous; niggardly. L. sordidus ; 

from sordes, filth. 
SORORICIDE. s. Murder of a sister. L. soror, a sister, and cmdo, to 

kill. 
SORT. s. A kind ; a species ; rank. F. sorte .• L. sors, a lot, chance, 

condition, kind. 
SOURCE, s. Spring; head; origin. F. source: L. surgo, to arise. 
SOVEREIGN, adj. Supreme in power; chief; supremely efficacious, 

F. souperaine .• L. super, above, and regno, to reign. 
SPACE, s. Room ; quantity of time ; the relation of distance between 

any two bodies or points. L. spatium, a space of ground or time ; 

but, properly, a stage or distance in racing. 
SPACIOUS, adj. AVide ; extensive ; roomy. L. spatiosus. See 

SPACE. 
SPARSE, adj. Scattered ; far apart. L. sparsus, p. part, of spargo^ 

to sprinkle* 



SPA— SPH 

SPASM, s. Convulsion ; violent and involuntary contraction. G. 
spasma ,• from spao, to draw, or pluck. 

SPASMODIC, adj. Convulsive. See SPASM. 

SPECIAL, adj. Particular ; peculiar ; appropriate ; designed for a 
particular purpose ; extraordinary ; uncommon. L. specialis. See 
SPECIES. 

SPECIES. 5.. A sort ; a subdivision of a general term ; single order of 
beings. L. species, a form, figure, or sort ; from specio, to see. 

SPECIFIC, adj. Relating or pertaining to the qualities which make or 
distinguish a species ; appropriated to the cure of some one species 
of distemper. F. specifique : L. species, a sort, and facio, to make. 

SPECIFY, v. To mention a species or sort by some particular marks 
of distinction ; to show or declare particularly, not generally. F. 
specifier .- L. species, a sort, and facio, to make, or delineate. 

SPECIMEN, s. A sample ; a part of any divisible species, exhibited, 
that the rest may be known. L. See SPECIES. 

SPECIOUS, adj. Showy ; plausible ; apparently, but not really right 
or valuable. L. speciosus ,- from specio, to see. 

SPECTACLE, s. Any thing perceived by the sight ; a show ; some- 
thing exhibited to the view as eminently remarkable ; (in the plu- 
ral,) glasses to aid the sight. F. spectacle : L. spectaculum ,- spedum, 
sup. of specio, to see. 

SPECTATOR, s. A lont-pr.nn • a beholder. L. spectator. See 

SPECTACLE- 
SPECTRE, s. An apparition ; a phantasm. F. spectre .• L. spectrum ; 
specio, to see. 

SPECTRUM. 5. An image ; a visible form. Ocular spectra are images 
presented to the eye, after removing them from a bright object, or 
closing them. L. from specio, to see. 

SPECULAR, adj. Having the qualities of a mirror or looking-glass. 
L. specularis ,> specio, to see. 

SPECULATE, v. To look forward with the mind ; to conjecture ; to 
purchase any thing under the impression of a future advance in its 
value, — or to sell in expectation of a decline. L. specular: from 
specio, to see. 

SPECULUM, s. A mirror ; a looking-glass ; that in which representa- 
tions are formed by reflexion. L. speculum ,• specio, to see. 

SPERM, s. Seed; that by which a species is continued. G. spermu; 
speiro, to sow. 

SPERMATIC, adj. Seminal; consisting of seed ; belonging to or con- 
taining sperm. See SPERM. 

SPERMOLOGIST. s. One who gathers and treats of seeds. G. sper- 
mologos: comp. of sper ma, seed, and logos, a description. 

SPHACELUS, s. A gangrene ; a mortification of the flesh. G. spha- 
■ kelos ; from sphazo, to destroy. 

SPHERE, s. A globe ; a solid body, contained under one, uniform, 
round surface, every point of which is equally distant from a certain 
point in the middle, called its centre ; orb ; circuit of motion ; indi- 
vidual compass of knowledge or action ; particular employment. L. 
sphsera: G. sphaira, a bowl, or any thing that is round. 

SPHEROID, s. A solid body, oblong or oblate, approaching the form, 
of a sphere. G. sphaira, a sphere, and eidos, a shape. 



sph— spu 

SPHINCTER. 5. A muscle which binds up or draws together any pas* 
sage or duct of the body. G. sphingo, to shut up. 

SPINE, s. The back-bone. L. spina, a thorn, a prickle, a pin, the 
back-bone, [or that which pins the body together.] 

SPIN;E. s. In botany, thorns or rigid prickles. L. pi. of spina, a 
thorn. 

SPINIFEROUS. adj. Bearing thorns. L. spina, a thorn, and fero, xo 
bear. 

SPINOUS, adj. Thorny; full of thorns. L..spinosus; spina, a thorn. 

SPIRACLE, s. A breathing hole ; a vent ; a small aperture. L. spi- 
rant lum ,• spiro, to breathe. 

SPIRAL, adj. Curve ; winding ; circularlv formed, Eke a screw. See 
SPIRE. 

SPIRE, s. A curve line ; a curl ; a wreath ; a building of a taper form, 
on the outside or inside of which winding stairs are built ; any build- 
ing' of a taper form, without winding stairs. L. spira: from the G. 
speira, a rope ; alluding to the winding convolutions of the several 
plies of a rope. 

SPIRIT, s. Breath ; principle of animal life; an immaterial substance; 
an intellectual being ; the human soul ; a spectre ; temper ; ardour ; 
courage ; enterprise ; desire ; characteristical likeness ; an inflam- 
mable and intoxicating liquor, obtained by distillation. L. spiriius ; 
spiro, to breathe. 

SPIRITUAL, adj. Distinct from matter ; incorporeal ; relating to the 
soul ; not temporal ; relating to eternity ; ecclesiastical. F. spiri- 
tuel: 'L.spiritualis. See SPIRIT. 

SPIRITUOUS, adj. Having the quality of distilled spirit. F. spiritueiix* 
See SPIRIT. 

SPLEEN, s. The milt; one of the intestine members, the use of which 
is scarcely known. It is fancied to be the seat of anger, melancholy, 
and mirth ; hence, the application of the term, in relation to these 
passions. L. and G. splen. 

SPLENDID, adj. Showy; magnificent; sumptuous; pompous. F 
splendide .- L. splendidus ,- splendeo, to shine. 

SPLENETIC, adj. Troubled with the spleen ; fretful; peevish. F, 
sphhdique. See SPLEEN. 

SPOIL, v. To cany away by force ; to plunder ; to injure ; to grow 
useless. L. spolio ; from the G. spao, to draw, or pluck off. 

SPOLIATION, s. Act of spoiling or plundering. L. spoliatio. See 
SPOIL. 

SPONSOR, s. One who makes a promise or gives security for another 
L. sponsor ,- sponsus, p. part, ofspondeo, to promise willingly. 

SPONTANEOUS, adj. Voluntary ; natural; without cultivation. L. 
• spontaneus ,- from spondeo, to promise willingly. 

SPOUSE, s. One joined in marriage ; a husband or wife. F. epouse, 
(formerly espouse.-) L. sponsa; sponsus, p. part, of spondeo, to pro- 
mise willingly. 

SPRIGHT, oi SPRITE, s.- A spirit ; an apparition. This word is a 
contraction of Spirit. 

SPRIGHTLY, adj. Airy ; with spirit ; lively. See SPRIGHT. 

SPUME, s. Foam, or froth. L. spuma ; spuo, to spit: and, from the 
same root, is derived the verb spew, 



SQU— ST A 

SQUADRON. 5. Originally, signified a body of troops drawn up square 
It now denotes part of an army, or part of a fleet, and sometimes, 
a small fleet. F. escadron .- Italian, squadroiie : L. quadratus. 
squared. 

SQUALID, adj. Foul ; nasty ; filthy. L. squalidus ,- squako, to be 
filthy. 

SQUAMOUS, adj. Scaly ; -covered with scales. L. squameus ,• squa- 
ma, the scale of a fish, &c. 

SQUIRE, s. This word, a contraction of Esquire, is used, by the pea- 
santiy of England, to denote a country gentleman ; and signifies, in 
some parts of the United States of America, a justice of the peace. 

STABILITY, s. Capability of standing; steadiness; firmness. F. sta- 
bility : L. stabilitas. See STABLE. 

STABLE, adj. Capable of standing ; steady ; firm. L. stabilis : sto, 
to stand. 

STABLE, s. A house for beasts. L. staiulum .• sto, to stand. • 

STAGNANT, adj. Motionless*; not flowing. L. stagnans, part.- of 
stagno, to stand still: sio, to stand. 

STAGNATE, v. To become motionless ; to have no course or stream, 
L. stagnatus, p. part, of stagno, to stand still. 

STALACTITE, s. Spar, in the shape of an icicle, formed by water 
dropping from the fissures of a rock. G. stalazo, to drop. 

STAMINA, s. First principles; solids of the human body; (in botany,) 
little threads or capillaments, which grow up within the flowers of 
plants, and encompass the style. L. pi. of stamen, hemp, flax, 
&c. placed on a distaff for spinning, — or a thread: G. istemi, to 
place, or build. 

STAMINEOUS. s. In botany, consisting of stamina, or threads. L.' 
stamineiis. See .STAMINA. 

STANNARY, s. The stannary courts, in Devonshire and Cornwall, are 
for the administration of justice amongst persons working or con- 
cerned in the tin mines. L. , stannarius ,- from stannium, tin. 

STATE, s. Condition ; circumstances of nature or fortune ; degree ; 
ceremonious order, or position ; rank ; grandeur ; nation or com- 
monwealth. L. status ; status, p. part, of sto, to stand. 

STATE, v. To represent the state or condition, in all the circumstances 
of modification ; to explain. See the noun. 

STATED, part. adj. Established ; ordained ; regular. L. status, p. 
part, of sto, to stand, or continue. 

STATICS, s. The science which considers the weight of bodies. G. 
statike ,- statos, part, of istemi, to stand, or sustain. 

STATION. 5. Appointed place of standing or assembling ; session at 
an appointed place ; post ; office ; situation ; rank ; condition of 
life. F. station: L. statio ; status, p. part, of sto, to stand. 

STATIONER, s. A vender of books, &c. who remains in one station 
or fixed place, but does not sell as an itinerant, or pedler. See 
STATION. 

STATUE, s. A standing image. F. statue: L. statua,- status, p. part, 
of sto, to stand. 

STATU QUO. In its (his, her, or their,) former state. L. statu, in 
the state, quo, in which ; status and qui. 



STA— STR 

STATURE. *• The height of any animal, measured when standing. 

F. stature: L. statura ,- status, p. part, of sfo, to stand. 
JSTJTtTS QUO. The "status quo ante bellum," the state in which 

[the several belligerents were] before the war, L. 
STATUTE, s. A law, intended to be permanent and general, not 

made for a temporary or particular purpose. F. statut : L. statu- 

turn ; status, p. part, of sto, to stand, or continue. 
STEGANOGRAPHY. s. The art of writing secretly, in ciphers. G= 

steganos, secret, and grapho, to write. ' 
STEGNOSfS. 8. An obstruction of the pores of the body ; the sup- 
pression of any evacuation. G. stegno-o, to bind. 
STEGNOTIC. adj. Binding ; rendering costive. G. stegnotikos; from 

stegno-o, to bind.- 
STELLAR, adj. Astral ; relating to the stars. L. stella, a star. 
STELLATE, adj. Pointed in the manner of an irradiating star. L. 

stellatus, part, ofstellor,- stella, a star. 
STENOGRAPHY. ,s. Short-hand. G. stems, short, and grapho, to 

write. 
STERCORACEOUS. adj. Relating to dung ; partaking of the nature 

of dung. L. stercoraccus ; stercoris, gen. of stercus, dung. 
STEREOGRAPHY. 5. Art of drawing the forms of solid bodies on a 

plane. G. stereos, solid, and grapho, to write. 
STEREOMETRY, s. The art of measuring solid bodies. G. stereos, 

solid, and metreo, to measure. 
STEREOTYPE, s. Stereotype printing is by types cast together, in a 

solid plate ; not by types, each of which can be separated from the 

others. G stereos, solid, and tupos, a type. ' 
STERIL. adj. Barren ; unfruitful. L. sterilis ; from the G. stereo, to 

take away. 
STIGMA, s. A mark of infamy. G. stigma ; from stizo, to brand. 
STIGMATIZE, v. To brand, or distinguish by a mark of infamy. See 

STIGMA. 
STILL, s. A vessel used in distilling. See DISTIL. 
STIMULATE, v. To excite forward ; to influence by some pungent 

motive ; to increase the animal spirits. L. stimuh j to prick: G» 

stigme, a point. 
STIPEND, s. Salary 5 settled pay. L. stipendium ,• from stipis, a 

piece of money, with which the Roman soldiers were anciently paid^ 

by weight, SLTt'dpendo, to pay. 
STIPENDIARY. 5. One who receives a stipend. See STIPEND. 
ST1PTIC. adj. See STYPTIC. 

STIPULATE, v. To bargain ; to contract ; to settle terms. Ln stipU' 
■ lor ; from stlpo, to fill up close. . 
STOIC, s. One who holds the doctrines of the heathen philosopher, 

Zeno. L. stoicus : G. stoikos / from stoa, a porch, in which Zeno 

taught. 
STOMACH, s. The ventricle in which food is digested ; appetite. L> 

stomachus .• G. stoma, a mouth, and echo, to have. 
STORY, s. History ; a small tale ; a petty fiction. See HISTORY. 
STRAIGHT, adj. Not crooked ; turning neither to the right nor left 5 

direct. See STRAIT. 
T 



STR— STU 

STRAIN, v. To squeeze through something ; to. filter ; to sprain ; to 
put to its utmost strength. F. estreindre.- L. stringo, to tighten, or 
bind. 

STRAIT, adj. Narrow ; close ; confined ; strict, s. a narrow pass ; 
distress ; difficulty. . F. etroit, formerly estroit. L. strictus, p. part. ■ 
of stringo, to tighten, or bind. 

STRANGER, s. A foreigner ; one unknown ; a guest ; one unac- 
quainted. F. etranger ,- from the L. extraneus, foreign : extra, 
without. 

STRANGLE, v. To choke ; to suffocate ; to kill by insercepting the 
breath ; to hinder from birth or appearance. L. strangulo : G. 
strangulo-o, to writhe, or twist. 

STRANGURY, s. A painful difficulty in passing urine. L. stranguria: 
G. strangouria ; comp. of sirangx, a drop, and ouron, urine. 

STRATA, s. Layers. Plural of Stratum. L. 

.STRATAGEM, s. An artifice in war ; a trick,, by which some advan- 
tage is endeavoured to be gained. L. stratagema : G. strategema ,■ 
from strategeo, to command an army: comp. of stratos, an army, and 
ago, to lead. 

STRATAGY. s. The art of conducting a war. See STRATAGEM. 

STRATEOLOGY. s. A discourse on the art of conducting a war; the. 
art of conducting a war. G. stratos, an army, and logos, a word, or 
discourse. 

STRATIFY, v. To arrange in strata, or layers. F. stratijier : L. stra- 
tum, a bed, or layer, zndfacio, to make. 

STRATUM, s. A layer. L. stratum ,- stratus, p. part, of sterno, to 



STREET, s. A way (properly. a paved way,) between two rows of 
houses ; the houses which bound the way. Derived, through the 
Saxon, from stratum: which is from stratus, p. part, of siemo, to 
spread. 

STRENUOUS, adj. Active ; zealous ; ardently laborious. L. strenuus, 
brisk. 

STRESS, s. "Violence ; force ; importance imputed. L. strictm, p. 
part, of stringo. See STRAIN. 

STRIJE. { s. In natural history, the small grooves or channels in the 
shells of cockles, scallops, &c. L. pi. of stria, a groove. 

STRIATE, or STRIATED, adj. Formed in striae. L. striatus, p. part. 
ofstrio, to groove. 

STRICT, adj. Exact ; accurate ; rigorously attentive to rules 5 severe ; 
confined ; tight. L. strictus, p. part, of stringo, to tighten, or bind. 

STRICTURE, s. Contraction; critical remark. L. sirktura ; strictus, 
p. part, of stringo, to grasp, or hold fast. 

STRUCTURE, s. Act of building ; practice of building 5 that which 
is built ; form; arrangement of words. F. structure; L. siructura; 
structus, p. part, ofstruo, to pile up. 

STUDENT, s. One who is studying. L. studens, part, of studeo, to 
study. 

STUDY, s. Earnest application of the mind to books and learning ; 
deep cogitation ; any particular kind of learning ; a room for study- 
ing in. L. studium ; studeo, to apply the mind to, or desire eagerly. 



STU— SUB 

STULTIFY, v. To turn to a fool j to stupefy. L. stultus, foolish, and 
Jio, to become. 

STUPEFACTION, s. Act of stupefying- ; state of being stupefied. F. 
gfjppef action .- L. st upef actus, p. part, of stupefacio. Se'e STUPEFY. 

STUPEFY, v. To make stupid. L. stupefacio,- comp. of stupor, sense- 
lessness, suidfacio, to make. 

STUPID, aoj/: Dull ; wanting- sensibility ; wanting* apprehension ; 
sluggish. L. stupidus. See STUPOR. 

STUPOR, s. Suspension or diminution of sensibility. L. stupor,- from 
the G. stupho, to tie fast. 

STYGIAN, adj. Relating or pertaining to the river Styx ; hellish ; in* 
fernal. L. styglus ,• Stygis, gen. of Styx, the poetical infernal lake. 
G. Siux ; from stugeo, to tremble. 

STYLE, s, A pointed iron, used anciently in writing on tables of wax; 
manner of writing, with regard to the language ; manner of execut- 
ing, effecting, or acting, in general ; title ; appellation ; the pin of 
a dial, &c. L. stylus : G. stubs, a column. 

STYPTIC, or STYPTIC M^adj. .Astringent ; efficacious in stopping 
a flow of blood. L. stypticus : G. stuptikos ,- stupho, to tie fast, or 
bind. 

SUASIVE. adj. Persuasive. L. suadeo, to persuade. 

SUJiVITER IN MO DO. Gently in the manner ; an expression op- 
posed to fortiter in r.e .- which see. L. 

SUAVITY, s. Agreeableness ;' amiability. F. suavite" : L. suavitasj 
suavis, sweet. 

SUB. A Latin preposition, signifying under, or in a subordinate de- 
gree. 

SUBALTERN, adj. Subordinate; of rank below that of a captain. F. 
subalterne .• L. suh, under, and alter, another. 

SUBAQUEOUS, adj. Existing under water. L. sub, under, and aqua-, 
water. 

SUBDIVIDE, v. To divide that which has been already divided. L. 
sub, under, (meaning, in a subordinate degree,) and divide. 

SUBDIVISION. *." Act of subdividing ; thing subdivided. L. sub, 
under, (meaning, in a subordinate degree,) and division. 

SUBDUCE, or SUBDUCT, v. To withdraw ; to take away ; to sub- 
tract. L. subduco, (sup. subductum ,-) sub, under, and duco, to 

• lead. 

SUBDUCTION. s. Act of subducing, or subducting. L. subductio. 
See SUBDUCE. . 

SUBDUE, v. To bring under the yoke ; to subjugate ; to conquer. 
L. subjugo. 

SUBDUPLE, or SUBDUPLICATE. adj. Containing one part of two. 
F. subduple ,• from the L. sub, under, and duplex, double, or dupli- 
c.atus, doubled. 

SUBERATES. #. Salts formed by the combination of any base, with 
the suberic acid. See SUBERIC. 

SUBERIC, adj. Suberic acid is obtained fr.om cork. L. suber, the 
cork tree, or cork. 

SUBJACENT adj. Lying under. L. subjacens, part, of subjaceo; sub, 
under, and jaceo, to lie. 



SUB— SUB 

SUBJECT', v. To reduce to submission ; to make subordinate.; to en- 
slave ; to expose 5 to make liable. See SUBJECT. 

SUBJECT, s. One who lives under the dominion of another ; that on 
which anyoperation, either mental or material, is performed ^ that 
in which any thing- inheres or exists ; (in grammar,) the nominative 
case to a verb. JL. subjectus, p. part, of subjicio ; sub, under, and 
jaceo, to lie. 

SUBJOIN, v. To add at the end. L. sub, under, and join. 

SUBJUGATE, v. To bring into a state of permanent submission ; to 
subdue. L. subjugo ,- sub, under, and j'ugum, a yoke. An enemy, 
when beaten by the Romans, were actually compelled to march un- 
der thejugum, or yoke, formed of three spears, erected in the man- 
ner of a gallows. 

SUBJUNCTIVE, adj. Subjoined ; dependent ; contingent. L. sub- 
jundivus ; from subjungo ,- sub, under, andjungo, to join. 

SUBLIMATE, or SUBLIME, v. To raise by the force of fire ; to ele- J 
vate. See the adj. SUBLIME. 

SUBLIME, adj. High in place ; high in excellence ; indescribably 
grand. L. sublimis, lofty. 

SUBLINGUAL, adj. Placed under the tongue. L. sub, under, and 
lingua, the tongue. 

SUBLUNARY, adj. Terrestrial ; of this world. L. sub, under, and 
luna, the moon. 

SUBMARINE, adj. Lying or acting Under the sea. h.sub, under, and 
mare, the sea. 

SUBMERGE, v. To put underwater.- L. submergo ,- comp. of sub, 
under, and mergo, to sink. 

SUBMERSION. 5. Act of submerging.; state of being submerged. F. 
submersion: L. submenus, p. part, of submergo. See SUBMERGE. 

SUBMISSION, s. Act of submitting-. L. submissio ; submissus, p. part, 
of submkio. See SUBMIT. 

SUBMIT, v. To resign ; to leave to discretion ; to refer to judgment j 
to- be subject; to. acquiesce in the authority of another; to yield. 
L. submitto ; comp. of sub, under, and initio, to send,»or throw. 

SUB MOlJO. In a qualified manner. L. 

SUBORDINATE, cdj. Inferior in order, in nature, in dignity, or in 
power. L. sub, under, and ordinaius, p. part, of ordino, to put in 
order: ordo, an order, or rule. 

SUBORN, v. To procure the aid or favour of, by secret and dishonest 
means ; to seduce from duty. L. suborno ; sub, under, (meaning 
secretly,) and orno, to deck, or furnish. 

SUBPffiNA. s. A writ commanding attendance, under a penalty. L. 
sub, under, poena, punishment. 

SUBSCRIBE, v. To write under ; to give consent to, or promise by 
underwriting the name ; to assent. L. subscribo ; sub, und£r, and 
scribo, to write. 

SUBSCRIPTION, s. Act of subscribing ; amount, &c. subscribed; 
written contribution.. L. subscriptio; tubscriptus, p. part, of sub- 
scribo. See SUBSCRIBE. 

SUBSECTION, s. A subdivision of a larger section. L. sub, under, 
and section, 



SUB— SUB 

SUBSEQUENT, adj. Following'. L. subsequens, part, of subsequor ; 

comp. of sub, under, or next after, and sequor, to follow. 
SUBSERVE, v. To serve in subordination ; to serve instrurnentally. 

L. subservio ; sub, under, and servio, to serve. 
SUBSIDE, v. To sink ; to fail to the bottom ; to cease. L. subsido; 
sub, under, and sido, to perch, or settle ; or subsideo ,• comp. of sub, 
under, and sedeo, to sit. 
SUBSIDIARY, adj. Assistant; aiding. L. subsidiarius. See SUB- 
SIDY. 
SUBSIDY. *. Aid, in a general, national, or military way. L. subsi- 

dium ; sub, under, and sedeo, to sit. 
SUB SILENTIO. In silence ; without any notification. L. sub, 

under, silentio, abl. of silent "mm, silence. 
SUBSIST, v. To be ; to have existence ; to retain the present state 
or condition ,- to continue. L. subsisto ,- from sub, under, and sisto, 
"to stand still, or stay. 
SUBSTANCE, s. Something existing; something tangible; the essen- 
tial part ; means of life. L. substantia ,- substans, part, ofsubsto, to 
standstill: sub, under, and sto, to stand. 
SUBSTANTIAL, adj. Having substance ; real ; actually existing ; 
material ; solid ; firm ; strong ; durable ; moderately wealthy. See 
SUBSTANCE. 
SUBSTANTIATE, v. To prove real ; to prove, as in giving evidence. 

See SUBSTANCE. 
SUBSTANTIVE, s. A noun ; the name of a person, or of a thing., 

real or imaginary. L. substanfivum. See SUBSTANCE. 
SUBSTITUTE, s. One person acting in the place of another ; any 
thing- used instead of some other thing. L. substitutus, p. part, of 
substituo ,■ sub, under, and statuo, to set, or place. 
SUBSTRUCTURE, s. Foundation; that part of any building which 
is under the surface of the ground, (opposed to superstructure.) L. 
sub, under, and structure. 
SUBTANGENT. s. In any curve,. is the line which determines the in- 
tersection of the tangent in the axis prolonged. L. sub, under, and 
tangens, part, of tango, to touch. 
SUBTEND, v. To be extended under. L. sub, under, and tendo, to 

stretch. • 

SUBTENSE, s. That which is extended under ; the chord of an arch. 

L. sub, under, and'tensus, p. part, of tendo, to stretch. 
SUBTERFLUENT, or SUBTLRFLUOUS. adj. Flowing under. L, 

subterfiuens, part, of subterfiuo ; subter, under, and Jtuo, to flow. 
SUBTERFUGE, s. A shift; an evasion ; a trick. F. subterfuge.- L, 

subter, under, and fugo, to run a way. 
SUBTERRANEOUS, or SUBTERRANEAN, adj. Lying under (with- 
in,) the earth ; placed under the earth. L. suoterraneus ; from sub, 
under, and terra, the earth. 
SUBTILE, or SUBFLE. adj. Thin; not dense; vaporous; nice 5 
fine ; piercing ; acute: — ai-.o, cunning ; artful ; refined or acute be- 
yond necessity. In these senses, it is generally written subtle. L. 
subtiUs, finely spun ; sub, under, (meaning in a low degree,) and 
tela, a web, 

T 2 



SUB— SUJ 

SUBTRACT, v. To withdraw a part from the rest ; to diminish ; to 
deduct, by arithmetic, a less sum from a greater, and place the re- 
mainder underneath. L. bubtractum, sup. of subtraho,- sub, under, 
and traho, to draw. • 

SUBURB, s. Building 1 without the walls of a city ; precinct. L. sub- 
urbium : sub, under, and urbs, a city. 

SUBVERSION. 5. Act of subverting" ; state of being subverted. F, 
subversion : L. subversus, p. part, of subverto. See SUBVERT. 

SUBVERT, v. To overthrow ; to overturn ; to turn upside down ; to 
corrupt 5 to confound. L. subverto j from sub, under, and vcrto, to 
turn. 

9UCCEDANEUM. s. A substitute. L. from succedo, to follow. 

SUCCEED, v. To follow in order ; to come into the place of one who 
has quitted or died ; to obtain one's desire ; to terminate prosper- 
ously, &c. L. succedo ; sub, under, or next after, and cedo, to de- 
part. 

SUCCESS, s. The termination of any affair, fortunate or unfortunate, — 
but often used in a happy sense, without any qualifying term. L. " 
successus,- from a part, of succedo. See SUCCEED. 

SUCCESSION. s. Act of succeeding; regular order ; series. L sue- 
cessio; successus, p. part, of succedo. See SUCCEED. 

SUCCINCT, adj. Concise ; brief. L. succinctus, p. part, of succingo ; 
comp. of sub, under, and cingo, to gird. 

SUCCOUR, v. To aid; to relieve. L. suceurro,- sub, under, and eurro? 
to run. 

SUCCULENT, adj. Juicy ; moist. L. sueculentus ; suceus, juice. 

SUCCUMB, v. To yield ; to sink under any difficulty. This word is 
inelegant. L. succumbo,- sub, under, and cumbo, to lie. 

SUDATION. s. Sweat ; a sweating. L. sudatio ; sudo, to sweat. 

SUDATORY, s. A sweating chamber. L. sudatorius ,- from sudo, to 
sweat. 

SUDORIFJC. adj. Promoting sweat. F. sudorijique : L. sudor, sweat, 
and facio, to make. 

SUFFER, v. To bear ; to undergo ; to feel, with sense of pain ; to 
allow ; to be injured. X. suffero ,- sub, under, and /era, to bear. 

SUFFICE, v. To be sufficient ; to satisfy. L. sufficio } sub, under, or 
near to, and facio, to make. 

SUFFICIENT, adj. Equal to the proposed end ; enough ; competent ; 
L. sufficient, part, of sufficio. See SUFFICE. 

SUFFOCATE, v. To choke, or prevent respiration, by the exclusion 
or interception of air. L. suffoco ,- from sub, under, and focus, a fire- 
hearth, or a fire, 

SUFFRAGAN, adj. A suffragan bishop is subject to his metropolitan 
or superior bishop. L. suffraganeus. See SUFFRAGE. 

SUFFRAGE. 5. Vote ; voice given upon a controverted point. F- 
suffrage: L. suffragium ,- from suffero. See SUFFER. 

SUFFUSED, part. adj. Spread. L. suffusus,-p. part, ofsuffundo; sub, 
under, and / undo, to pour out. 

SUGGEST, v. To hint privately ; to intimate ; to propose. L. sug- 
gestum, sup. ofsuggero ; comp. of sub> under, and gero, to carry. 

SUICIDE, s. Self-murder. L. suicidium ,• sui> of himself or herself* 
and eeedesy slaughter: cxda, to kilt. 



SLi—SUP 

SUI GENERIS. Of its own kind ; ntSt to be classed under any jvCti- 

nary description. L. gen. of suus, and genus. 
SUIT. s. A set ; a number of tilings corresponding one to another : a 

petition or address of entreaty ; courtship ; action at law. F. suite I 

suivre, to follow. L. secutus, part, ofseqiior, to follow. 
SUITABLE, adj. Fitting- ; according with ; agreeable, See SUIT, 

and ABLE. 
SUITE. *. Series ; retinue ; (pronounced sweet.) See SUIT. 
SUM. s. The whole; many particulars conjoined, so as to form a total; 

the result of reasoning or computation ; quantity of money ; com- 
pletion ; height. L. summa ,■ summus, highest. 
SUMMARY, adj. Containing the chief heads ; short; brief; last; im- 
mediate ; compendious. L. summariurn, an abridgment. See SUM. 
SUMMON, v. To call with authority ; to admonish to appear ; to cite ; 

to excite; to raise. L. summoneo ,• sub, under [subject to a penalty,] 

and moneo, to put in mind, or warn. 
SUMMUM BONUM. The chief good. L. 
SUMPTER. s. An animal which carries provisions on a journey. L. 

surnptus, p. part, of sumo, to take. 
SUMPTUARY, adj. Relating to expense; regulating expenditures ; 
. promoting economy. L. sumptuarius;- surnptus, expense : from 

sumo, to take, or procure. 
SUMPTUOUS, adj. Costly; expensive; splendid. L. sumptuosus ,• 

surnptus, expense, from sumo, to take, or procure. 
SUPER. In composition,. denotes above, over, more than another, 

more than enough. L. 
SUPERABLE. adj. Conquerable ; that may be overcome. L. super- 

abilis; super, above. 
SUPERABUNDANCE, s. Overabundance ; more than enough. L, 

super, above, and abundance-. 
SUPERADD, v. To add over and above. L. superaddo ; super, above, 

and addo, to add. 
SUPERANNUATED, part. adj. Impaired or disqualified by age. . L. 

super, above, or beyond, and annus, a year. 
SUPERB, adj. Grand ; pompous ; splendid. L. superbus ,• from super t 

above. 
SUPERCARGO, s. A person sent in a ship, to superintend the dis- 
posal or purchase of the merchandise. L. super, over, and cargo. 
SUPERCILIOUS, adj. Haughty ; dogmatical ; dictatorial ; arbitrary ; 

overbearing. L. superciliosus, of a sour countenance ; from super- 

cilium, the brow. 
SUPEREROGATION, s. Performance of more than duty requires. L. 

super x beyond, or above, and erogatio, a bestowing: from erogo ; 

comp. of e, from, and rogo, to ask. 
SUPERFICIAL, adj. Lying on the surface ; not reaching below the 

surface ; shallow ; not profound ; insufficient ; smattering ; not 

learned. F. superfickl. See SUPERFICIES. 
SUPERFICIES, s. Outside ; surface. L. comp. of super, above, and 

fades, a face. 
SUPERFINE, adj. Eminently fine. L. super, above, and fine. 
SUPERFLUOUS, adj. Exuberant; more than enough ; unnecessary, 

L. super jiuus, flowing over: super t over, sxi&Jluo, to flow, 



SUP— SUP 

SUPERINCUMBENT, adj. Lying on the top. L. super, above, ami 
incumbent. 

SUPERINDUCE, v. To bring in as an addition ; to bring in some* 
thine extrinsic." L. super, over, and induce. 

SUPERINTEND, v. To oversee ; to conduct. L. super, over, and 
intend. 

SUPERIOR, adj. -Higher ; greater in dignity or excellence ; upper ; 
(with to,) not to be conquered or overcome by. L. compar. of su- 
per, or supra, above. 

SUPERLATIVE, adj. Implying or expressing the highest degree ; 
superior ; paramount. L. superlativus ; superlatus, p. part, of super- 
fero ,• super, beyond, or above, and fero, to carry. 

SUPERNATANT, adj. Swimming above 5 floating. L. supernatans, 
part, of supernato ,■ comp. of super, above, and nato, to swim. 

SUPERNATURAL, adj. Above the powers of nature ; unusual. L. 
super, above, and natural. 

SUPERSEDE, v. To make void or inefficacious by superior power ;- 
to set aside ; to displace. L. supersedeo; super, over, and sedeo, 
to sit. * 

SUPERSTITION, s. Unnecessary fear or scruples in religion; observ- 
ance of unnecessary and uncommanded rites or practices ; false reli- 
gion or worship ; too scrupulous exactness. L. superstitio ,• super, 
beyond, or above, and sto, to stand. 

SUPERSTRUCTURE. 5. That which is built or raised upon some- 
thing else ; that which is raised above the surface of the ground: 
(opposed to substructure.) L. super, above, and structure. 

SUPERVENE, v. To come as an extraneous addition. L. supervenio ,- 
super, above, or besides, and vtnio, to come. 

SUPERVENTION, s. Act of supervening. L. superventus, p. part, of 
supervenio. See SUPERVENE. • 

SUPERVISE, v. To oversee ; to examine the general conduct or ac- 
counts of others. L. super, over, and visum, sup. of video, to see. 

SUPPLANT, v. To displace by stratagem ; to overcome. L. sup- 
planto ,- from sub, under, and planta, the foot. 

SUPPLE, adj. Pliant ; flexible ; flattering ; fawning. 'L. supplex ; 
sub, under, and plico, to fold. 

SUPPLEMENT, s. Addition to any thing, by which its defects are 
supplied. L. supplementuni ,• suppleo, to fill up. 

SUPPLIANT, adj. Humbly entreating ; praying ; submissive. F. 
suppliant: L. supplicims, part, of supplico. See SUPPLICATE. 

SUPPLICATE, v. To entreat ; to implore 5 to petition submissively 
and humbly. L. supplico, to beg on one's knees: sub, under, and 
phco, to fold [the hands.] 

SUPPLY.' v. To fill up, as any deficiencies happen; to give something 
wanted ; to serve in stead of; to bring ; to furnish. L. suppleo, • sub, 
under, or near to, and pleo, to fill. 

SUPPORT, v. To sustain ; to prop ; to bear up ; to endure ; to aid ; 
to defend ; to supply with the necessaries of life. L. supporto; sub, 
under, and porto, to carry, or beari 

SUPPOSE, v. To advance, by Avay of argument or illustration, without 
maintaining the truth of the position ; to admit without proof; to 



SUP— SUR 

conjecture; to imagine. F. supposer .- L. suppoxitus, p. part, of 
suppono ; sub, under, and pono, to place. 

SUPPOSITION, s. Act of supposing-; thing supposed. F. supposition,' 
See SUPPOSE. 

SUPPRESS, v. To crush ; to overpower ; to subdue ; to conceal ; to 
withhold. L. suppressum, sup. of supprimo ,• sub, under, and pre- 
mo, to press. 

SUPPURATE, v. To generate pus or matter ; to be in a state of dis- 
charging matter. L. suppuro ; sub, under, and pus, (puris,) cor- 
rupted matter. 

SUPREMACY, s. Highest place 5 highest authority ; state of being 
'supreme.' See SUPREME. 

SUPREME, adj. Highest in authority or dignity; chief. L. supremUs, 
sunerlative of super, or supra, above. 

SURCHARGE, s. Additional charge ; additional quantity. F. sur, 
(L. super,) over, and charge. 

SURCINGLE, s. Exterior girth ; that which binds down a saddle, by 
passing over it and the ordinary girths ; the girdle of a cassock. F. 
sur, (L. super,) over, and L. cingufa, a girth: cingn, to gird. 

SURE. adj. Certain; infallible; confident; safe; firm. F. sur; L. 
securus ,• se, denoting separation or absence, and cura, care. 

SURFACE, s. Superficies ; outside. F. sur, (L- super,) above, 'and 
face. 

SURFEIT. 5. Sickness or satiety, caused by over fulness or repetition. 
F. from sur, over, and fait, past. part, of faire, to do: L. super, and 
facio. \ 

SURGE, s. A rough, swelling sea ; a billow ; a foaming wave. L. 
sur go, to arise. 

SURGEON. 5. One who cures by manual operation. F. chirurgeon 6 
or chirurgien .• G. cheir, the hand, and ergon, work. 

SURMISE, v. To suspect ; to imagine imperfectly ; to conjecture. 
F. surmise,- sur, over, upon, or towards, (L. super,) and'L. mittb, 
to send, or put forth. 

SURMOUNT, v. To rise above ; to conquer ; to overcome. F. sur- 
monter ,- comp. of sur, above, and monter, to get up, or rise: L. su- 
per, above, and mons, a mountain. . 

SURNAME. 5. Additional name ; family name ; the name which a 
person has besides his Christian name. F. sur, (L. super,) over, 
and name. 

SURPLICE, s.' The outer, or white gown, worn by some ministers of 
religion, during a part of the church-service. F. mrplis; sur, over, 
and plis&er, to fold : L. super, and plico. 

SURPLUS, s. Supernumerary or extra part ; superabundant remain- 
der. F. sur, over, and plus, more : L. super, and plus. ' 

SURPRISE, v. To take .unawares ; toattack unexpectedly ; to aston- 
ish by something Wonderful ; to confuse or perplex by something- 
sudden. F. surpris, p. part-, of surprendre : L. super, over, and 
' prendo, to take, or lay hold on. 

SURRENDER, v. To yieid ; to deliver to another ; to resign. F. sur- 
rendre : L. sub, under, and F. rendre, to return. 

SURREPTITIOUS, adj. Done by stealth; obtained or produced fraud- 
ulently. L. surr'eptiiius ; surrepo,- sub, under, and repo, to Greep 



SUR— SYL 

SURROGATE, a. A deputy ; the deputy of an ecclesiastical judge. 
L. surrogaius, p. part, ofsurrogo,- sub, under, and rogo, to demand, 
or inquire. 

SURTOUT. a. A large coat worn over all the rest. .F. comp. of sur, 
over, and tout, all. 

SURVEILLANCE, a. Overseeing- 5 overlooking"; having an eye upon. 
F. surveiller, to oversee. 

SURVEY, v. To look over; to view as from a higher place ; to ex- 
amine ; to measure the contents, and ascertain the relative position 
of lands, &.c. Old F. surveoir,- sur, (L. super,) over, and voir, to 
see. , 

SURVIVE, v. To outlive, or live after the death of another ; to live 
after any thing. F. surviwe .• L. super, beyond, and vivo, to live. 

SUSCEPTIBLE, adj. Capable of receiving or admitting ; subject to 
receive or admit. ' F. susceptible .- L. susceptus, p. part, of suscpio ,- 
comp. of sub, under, and capio, to take. 

SUSCITATE. v. To rouse; to excite, h.'suscito, to awake: from 
sub, under, and ciio, to call. 

SUSPECT, v. To imagine, with a degree of fear and jealousy, what 
is not known ; to suppose guilty, without proof; to conjecture-; to 
. doubt. L. suspectum, sup. of suspicio ; sub, . under, and specio, to 
behold. 

SUSPEND, v.. To hang ; to make to stop for a while ; to delay ; to 
debar for a time from the execution of an office, or the enjoyment 
of a revenue. L. suspendo ,• sub, under, and pendeo, to. hang up.. 

SUSPENSE, s. Uncertainty; doubt; delay. F. suspens : L. suspen- 
sus, p. part, of suspendo. See SUSPEND. 

SUSPENSION, a. Act of suspending ; state of being suspended. L. 
suspe?isio,- suspensus, p. part, of suspendo. See SUSPEND. 

SUSPICION, a. Act of suspecting ; state of being suspected. L. sus- 
picio. See SUSPECT. 

SUSTAIN, v. To bear; to prop; to support ; to endure; to suffer 
without yielding. L. sustineo ; sub, under, and teneo, to hold. 

SUSTENANCE, a. Support; maintenance; food. T\ soustenance : 
L. sustinens, part, of sustineo. See SUSTAIN. 

SYCOPHANT, a. A deceitful parasite ; a designing flatterer ; a mean, 
insinuating" fellow. L. sycophanta: G. sukophantes ,• suke, a -fig, and 
phao, to tell. " By a law of Solon," says Plutarch, ft no production 
of the Attican lands, except oil, was allowed to be sold to strangers, — 
. and, therefore, it is not improbable, what some affirm, that the ex- 
portation of Jigs was formerly forbidden, and .that the informer 
against the delinquents was called a sycophant." 

SYLLABLE, a. A sound, pronounced by a single impulse of the 
voice, and constituting a word, or part of a word. L. syllaba .• G. 
sullabe .• sullambano, to contain: sun, with, and lambano, to take, 

SYLLABUS, a. An abstract ; a compendium, containing the heads of 
a discourse. G. suUabos,- sullambano, to contain: sun, with, and 
lambano, to take. 

SYLLOGISM, a. An argument composed of three propositions: as, 
Every man thinks ,■ Henry is a man; therefore, Henry thinks. L. 
G. sullogismos ,- sun, with, and logos, reason. 



SYL— SYN 

SYLVAN, or SILVAN, adj. Woody ; shady.; relating" or pertaining- to 
woods. L. sylva, or silvu, a wood. 

SYMBOL, s. A comprehensive form ; a type 5 a figurative representa- 
tion ; a sign. L. symbolum • G. sumbolon ,• from sumballo, to bring 
together: sun, with, and bdllo, to throw. 

SYMMETRY. 8. Harmony of parts 5 proportion. L. symmelria : G. 
sun, with, and mttron, measure. 

SYMPATHETIC, adj. Having mutual sensation ; feeling in conse- 
quence of what another feels ; producing an effect by having some 
relative quality. F. sympaihetique. See SYMPATHY. 

SYMPATHY, s. Mutual sensibility ; fellow feeling : the quab'ty of be- 
ing affected by the affection of another. F. sympatkle ; G. sumpa- 
theia ,• sun, with, and pathos, passion : pascho, to suffer. 

SYMPHONY, s. Harmony of sound ; that part of a tune, composed in 
the same style, which is sung or played before or after the main 
part, or id the intervals. L. symphonia: G. sun, with, and phone, 
a sound. 

SYMPHYSIS, si Act of growing together ; union of two bones ; a 
mode of membra 1 articulation", in which there is no motion. G. sun, 
with, and phuo, to grow. 

SYMPTOM, s. That which happens with something else ; a sign. F. 
symptom.- G. sumptoma ,- comp. of sun, with, and pipto, to fall. 

SYNAGOGUE, s. A religious assembly of Jews ; a Jewish place of 
worship. F. synogogue .• G. sunagoge ,■ sun, with, and ago, to lead, 
or bring. 

.SYNALEPHA. s. A contraction or excision of a syllable, in scanning 
Latin verse: as, ilVet, for ille et. G. sanalo'phe ,- sun, with, and' 
aleipho, to mix. 

SYNARTHROSIS, s. A close conjunction of two bones. G. sun, with, 
and arthro-o, to form. 

SYNCHONDROSIS, s. A union, by gristles, of the sternon to the ribs. 
G. sun, with, and chondros, a cartilage. 

. SYNCHRONIC, or SYNCHRONIC AL. adj. Happening act the same 
time. G. sun, with, and chronos, time. 

SYNCOPE', s. Fainting fit ; contraction of a word, by cutting off a 
part in the middle. F. syncopie :. G. sunkope ,• sun, with, and kopio, 
to cut. 

SYNDIC, s. The chief magistrate of a corporation, or of a community. 
G. sund-'kos ,- sun, with, and dike, justice. 

SYNECDOCHE, s. A figure, by which a part is substituted for the 
whole, or the whole for a part. G. sunekdoke ,- comp. of sun, with, 
ek, out of, and dechomai, to take. 
SYNOD, s. An assembly, particularly of ecclesiastics. L. synodus : 

G. sunodos ,• sun, with, and odos, a way. 
SYNONYMOUS, adj. Expressing the same thing ; of the same mean- 
ing. G. sunonumos ,• sun, 'with, and onuma, or onoma, a name. 
SYNOPSIS, s. A general view ; all the parts brought under one view. 

G. sunopsis : sun, with, and ops, a view. 
SYNTHESIS, s. The act of joining ; the act of forming a compound 
body by the union of elements: opposed to analysis. G. swithesis : 
sun, with, and tithemi, to put. 



SYN— TAL 

SYNTHETIC, adj. Conjoining"; compounding 1 : opposed to analytic, 

G. sunthetikos. See SYNTHESIS. 
SYRINGE, s. An instrument for squirting liquids. G. suringx, {fis- 
tula,) a pipe. . 
3YRINGOTOMY. s. The act or practice of cutting- fistulas or hollow 

sores. G. suringx, (fistula,) a pipe,. and temno, to cut. 
SYRTIS. s. A quick-sand, or shelf of sand, caused by the motion of a 

whirlpool; a bog 1 . L. syvtis: G. surtis, a whirlpool: from suro, to 

draw. 
SYSTEM, s. Combination of many things acting together ; a scheme 

which reduces many tilings to regular dependence or co-operation ; 

organization; scheme ; mode. F '. systeme : G. sustema: sun, with, • 

and istemi, to stand. 
SYSTOLE, s. In anatomy, the contraction of the heart ; in grammar, 

the shortening of a long s}dlable. F. systole : G. sustole : sun, with, 

and stello, to draw together. 
SYSTYLE. s. A building, in which, the pillars stand near together. G. 

sun, with, and stubs, a pillar. 



TABERNACLE, s. A temporary habitation ; a sacred place ; a place 

of worship. . L. tabernaculum, a little house made of boards ; from 

tabula, a board. 
TABID, adj. Wasted by disease ; consumptive. L. tabidus : tabeo, 

to consume. 
TABLE, s. Any flat or level surface ; a flat board, stone, &c. used for 

meals and .other purposes ; a tablet ; a surface on which any thing 

is written or engraved ; an index ; a catalogue ; a -synopsis, &c. F. 

table : L. tabula, a board, or table. 
TABLE D'HOTE. A public table; table of an inn. F. table, a 

table, de, of, hole, an innkeeper. 
TABULAR, adj. Delineated or described in the form of tables, or a 

synopsis. L. tabularis. See TABLE. 
TABULATED, adj. Tabular ; having fiat surfaces'. See TABLE. 
TACIT, adj. Silent; implied; not expressed bywords. L. tacitus. 

from taceo, to-be silent. 
TACITURNITY, s. Habitual silence. L. tuciiurniias. See TACIT. . 
TACT. s. Technical character ; something which marks. a particular 

trade or profession. L. tactus, p. part, of tango, to touch. 
TACTICS, s. The science or art of arranging armies and fleets for 

battle. G. taktike : tasso, to put in order. 
TEDIUM VITJE. Weariness of life. L. 
TAIL. s. In law, the term fee-tail signifies any truncated or mutilated 

inheritance, cut out of the fee-simple. F. tailler, to cut. 
TAILOR, s. One whose business is to make clothes. F. tailleur : 

tailler, to cut. 
TAINT, v. To stain or sully [the reputation ;] to infect ; to corrupt ; 

to putrefy. F. teindre, to dye. 
TALENT, s. A talent anciently signified a certain weight, or a sum of 

money; the value differing, in different ages and countries. By a 

metaphor, taken from the talents mentioned in the New Testament, 






TAL— TEL 

Malt. xxv. 15. the term is now used to express faculty, power, er 

gift of nature. L. talentum, 
TALLY, s. A stick, notched in conformity with another stick, with 

the units of an account ; a single notch or mark of any sort, to re- 
present one. F. taille .• from tailkr, to cut. 
TALLY, v. To fit ; to be suitable ; to conform ; to mark one. From 

the substantive. 
TANGENT, s. A .right line, perpendicularly raised on the extremity 

of a radius, and touching a circle, so as not to cut it. F. tangent : 

L. tangens, part, of tango, to touch. 
TANGIBLE, adj. Perceptible by the touch ; possible to be realized, 

so as to be made a subject of inquiry. L. tango, to touch. 
TANGLE, v. See ENTANGLE. 
TANTALIZE, v. To torment by a show of pleasure, which cannot 

be reached. Derived from Tantalus, a king of Lydia; who is re- 
presented, by the poets, as punished in hell by an insatiable thirst, 

and placed up to his chin in a pool of water, which flows away as 

soon as he attempts to taste it. 
TANTAMOUNT, adj. Equivalent. F. tantamount; tant % as much. as ? 

and monter, to mount, or go up. 
TAPIS, s. " On the tapis," — on the carpet ; having- become the sub- 
ject of debate. F. 
TARDY, adj. Slow; sluggish. L. tardus; from tarda, to stop. 
TARTAREAN, adj. Hellish. L. tartarus : G. tartaros ; from tarasso, 

to trouble. 
TAURUS, s. A sign of the zodiac. L. taurus, a bull. 
TAUTOLOGY, s. Unnecessary and disagreeable repetition of the 

same words, or of the same sense, in different words. G. tautologia; 

taufbs, the same, and logos, a word. 
TAUTOPHONY. s. Frequent and disagreeable repetition of the same 

sound ; monotony. G. tautos, the same, and phone, a sound, 
TAVERN, s. An inn, or, rather, a house in which refreshments are 

sold. F. tavenie: L. taberna, a small house made of boards: tabula^ 

a board. 
TECHNICAL, adj. Belonging to arts; pertaining to some mechanical 

or professional business, and therefore not commonly understood. 

G. iechnilms ; from techne^an art. 
TECHNOLOGY: s. A description of arts; a treatise on mechanics. G° 

tecline, art, and logos, a word, or description. 
TECTONIC, adj. Pertaining to building. G. tekionikos,- tekton, a 

builder. 
TE DEUM. s. A particular hymn, so called because it begins with the 

words, Te Deum laudamus, we praise thee, God: — tuDeus laudo, 
TEDIOUS, adj. Wearisome by continuance, or by reason of prolixity; 

slow. L. taidium, weariness. 
TEGUMENT, s. In anatomy, a cover. L. tegumtntum ,- tego, to 

cover. 
TELEGRAPH, s. An instrument which answers the purpose of writ- 
ing, by conveying intelligence to a distance, by means of signals. Q> 
telos, the extremity, and gropho, to write. 
TELESCOPE, s. An optical tube for viewing distant objects. G= Uhh 
the extremity, and skopeo f to view. 
U 



TEM— TEN 

TEMERITY, s. Rashness 5 unreasonable contempt of danger. L. 
temeritas ; from iemno, to despise. 

TEMPER, v. To mix, so as that one part qualifies another ; to bring 
to due proportion ; to moderate ; to form metals to a proper degree 
of hardness. L. iempero ,■ from temporis, gen. of tempus, time, a 
convenience, suitableness to the time present, &c. 

TEMPER, s. Due mixture of different or contrary qualities ; constitu- 
tion of body ; disposition of mind ; frame of mind ; moderation ; 
state to which metals are reduced, particularly as to hardness. See 
the verb. 

TEMPERATE, adj. Not excessive ; moderate. L. temperatus, part, 
of iempero. See TEMPER. 

TEMPEST, s. Extreme violence of wind ; an excessively destructive 
storm 5 tumult ; perturbation. L. tempestas, time, season, weather, 
boisterous weather: from tempus, time. 

TEMPORAL, adj. Measured by time ; not eternal ; secular ; not ec- 
clesiastical ; worldly ; not spiritual. L. temporalis ,- temporis, gen, 
of tempus, time. 

TEMPORARY, adj. Lasting or continuing only a limited time: op- 
posed to permanent. X. temporarius ,• temporis, gen. of tempus, 
time. 

TEMPT, v. To incite, by presenting some pleasure or advantage ; to 
entice ; to provoke. L. tenius, p. part, of tento, to stretch. 

TENABLE, adj. Such as may be held against attacks ; such as may 
be maintained against opposition. F. tenable : L. teneo, to hold fast. 

TENACIOUS, adj. Adhesive; inclined to hold fast ; retentive; ob- 
stinate. L. lenax ; tenco, to hold fast. 

TENACITY, s. Adhesiveness; glutinosity ; retentiveness ; obstinacy ^ 
F. tenacite : L. tenacitas ,• tenco, to hold. 

TENANCY, s. Possession as a tenant. See TENANT. 

TENANT, s. One that holds by the authority of another; one that has 
temporary possession of lands, &c. under a landlord. F. tenant : 
L. ienens, part, of teneo, to hold. 

TEND. v. To move towards ; to be directed to any end or purpose ; 
to contribute ; to nurse, or guard. L. tendo, to stretch out. 

TENDENCE, or TENDENCY, s. Motion or direction towards : incli- 
nation towards. L. tendens, part, of tendo. See TEND. 

TENDER, adj. Soft ; easily impressed or injured ; delicate ; sensitive ,- 
compassionate ; gentle. F. tendre : L. tendo, to stretch out, spread, 
or bend. 

TENDER, v. To offer ; to propose for acceptance, s. an offer, or pro- 
posal. F.. tendre: L. tendo, to stretch out. 

TENDINOUS, adj. Sinewy ; containing tendons. L. tendinis. Sec 
TENDON. 

TENDON, s. A sinew ; a ligature, by which the joints are stretched 
out, or contracted. F. tendon .• L. tendo, to stretch out. 

TENDRIL, s. The clasp of a vine, or other climbing plant. F. ten- 
drillon: L. tendo, to stretch out. 

TENEBROUS, adj. Dark ; gloomy. L. tenebrosus ; tenebrse, dark- 
ness. 

TENEMENT, s. Any thing held by a tenant. F. tenement .- L, tene- 
mentum ; t$mo> to hold. 



TEN— TER 

TENET. 5. Principle ; position. L. teneo, to hold. 

TENON, s. The end of a piece of timoer, cut so as to be fitted into 
another piece. F. tenon : L. teneo, to hold. 

TEN OK, or TENOUR. s. Continuity of state ; constant mode ; gene- 
ral currency ; meaning" ; design 5 also, a term in music. L. tenor ; 
from teneo, to hold. 

TENSE, adj. Stretched ; tight. L. tensus, p. part, of tench, to stretch 
out. , 

TENSE. 8. In grammar, the variation of a verb, to signify time. F. 
temps: L. tempus, time. 

TENSILE, adj. Capable of being stretched, or extended. L. tensilis. 
See TENSE. 

TENSION, s. Act of stretching or extending; state of being stretched 
or extended. F. tension. See TENSE. 

TENT. s. A moveable lodging-place or cabin, commonly made by 
stretching canvass over poles. F. tentt: L. tentorium; from tendo, 
to stretch. 

TENTER, s. A hook on which things are stretched. L. tentus, p. 
part, of tendo, to stretch. 

TENUITY, s. Thinness; smallness. F. tenuiU : L. ienuitas ,• tenuis, 
slender: from teneo, to hold ; that is, to hold easily. 

TENUOUS, adj. Thin; smal(. L. tenuis,- from teneo, to hold ; that 
is, to be held easily. 

TENURE, s. The conditions on which tenements are held, in relation 
to the service to be rendered, extent of the lease, amount of rent, 
mode of payment, &c; period or conditions of holding things in 
general. F. tenure : L. teneo, to hold. 

TEPEFACTION. s. The act of moderately warming. L. tepefactus, 
p. part, of tepefacio ; tepidus, (from tepeo,) moderately warm, and 
facio, to make. 

TEPID, adj. Moderately warm: L. tepidus ; from tepeo, to be mode- 
rately warm. 

TERGIVERSATION, s. Change; fickleness. L. tergiversatio ,• ter- 
gum, the back, and verso, (from verto,) to turn often. 

TERM. s. Limit ; a word having a specific or limited meaning; appel- 
lation ; condition ; stipulation ; period ; time of being assembled for 
the transaction of business. L. terminus, a boundary. 

TERMINATE, v. To limit ; to end ; to stop. L. termino. See 
TERM. 

TERNARY, adj. Proceeding by threes ; consisting of three. L. ter~ 
narius ,- from ires, three. 

TERRACE, s. A small mount of earth, covered with grass; a balcony; 
an open gallery. F. terrace: L. terra, earth. 

TERRAQUEOUS, adj. Composed of land and water. L. terra, land, 
and aqua, water. 

TERRENE, adj. Earthly; terrestrial. L. terrenus ,- terra, the earth. 

TERRESTRIAL, adj. Earthly ; not celestial. L. terrestris ; terra, the 
earth. 

TERRIER, s. A dog that follows his game under ground. F. terrier : 
L. terra, earth. 

TERRIFIC, adj. Dreadful; causing terror. L. terrificus ; terror, ter- 
ror, and facio, to make. 



TER— TEX 

TERRITORY, s. Land ; dominion ; district. L. terriiorium ; turret* 

land. 
TERROR, s. Fear; dread. JL. terror,- terreo, to affright. 
TERSE, adj. Neat ; elegant 5 without pompousness. F. ters : L. Ur~ 

sus, p. part, of tergso, to make clean. 
TERTIAN, adj. A tertian fever intermits every third day. L. tertiana. 

tertius, the third: ires, three. 
TESSELATED. adj. Variegated by squares, L. tessella, a small 

square stone, or piece of wood, &c. G. tessara, four: (a square has 

four sides.) 
TEST. s. Proof; trial, or examination. F. test : L. testis, a witness. 
TESTACEOUS, adj. Consisting of shells; composed of shells; having- 

continuous, not jointed shells. L. tesiaceus ; testa, a shell-fish. 
TESTAMENT. 5. Evidence of a will, or intention, as to the disposal 

of property after death ; evidence of Divine revelation and com- 
mandments, contained in the sacred volumes, called the Old and 

New Testaments. F. testament : L. tesiamentum ; testis, a witness. 
TESTAMENTARY, adj. Given by testament or will ; contained in a 

will. See TESTAMENT. 
TESTATE, adj. Having made a will. L. testatus, part, of testor, to 

bear witness: from testis, a witness. 
TESTATOR. s. One who has made a will. L. from testis, a witness. 
TESTIFY, v. To witness ; to give evidence. F. testifier : L. testiftcor; 

comp. of testis, a witness, and facio, to make. 
TESTIMONY, s. Evidence given; proof by witness. L. testimonium; 

testis, a witness, and moneo, to put in mind. 
TESTUDINOUS. adj. Resembling the shell of a tortoise. L. testudi- 

neus ,• from testudo, a tortoise. 
TETANUS, s. A contraction; a kind of stiffness or rigidity in any part 

of the body. G. ietanos ,- teino, to stretch. 
TETE A TETE. " Head to head ;" a familiar discourse. F. 
TETRAGONAL, adj. Square; consisting of four sides and angles. G-. 

tetra, four, and gonia, a corner. 
TETRAMETER, adj. Consisting of four poetical measures. G. tetra- 

metros ; tetra, four, and mefreo, to measure. 
TETRANDRIA. s. A genus of plants with hermaphrodite flowers and 

four male stamina. G. tetra, four, and aner, a male. 
TETRAPETALOUS. adj. Having four leaves around the style. G. 

tetra, four, and petalon, a leaf. 
TETRAPL A. s. A bible in four columns, by Origen^ each column con- 

tairiing a different Greek version. G. tetraplobs, fourfold. 
TETRAPTOTE. s. A noun with only four cases. G. tetra, four, and 

ptosis^ a case. 
TETEARCH. adj. One who governed the fourth part of a Roman 

province. L. tetrarcha t G. ieirarches ; tetra x four, and archus, a 

chief. 
TETRASTIC. s. An epigram or stanza of four verses. G. tetrastichos ; 

tetra, four, and stichos, a verse. 
TETRASTYLE. s. A building with four columns in front ; a building 

with four pillars on a side. G. tetra, four, nasi, stubs, a pillar. 
TEXT. s. That on which a comment is written or spoken ; a sentence 

of scripture, F= texte ; L. texkis. p. part, of texo x to weave* or build 



TEX— TIT 

TEXTILE, adj. Woven ; capable of being woven. L. iextilis ,■ textus, 
p. part, of texo, to weave. 

TEXTURE, s. Something- woven 5 manner of weaving" ; combination 
of parts. L. tcxtura ,- textus, p. part, offexo, to weave. 

THEATRE, s. A place of exhibition ; a playhouse. F. theatre .- L. 
theatrum .- G. theatron ,- from theaomai, to behold. 

THEIST. s. One who believes in God. G. Theos, God. 

THEME, s. A subject on which a person speaks or writes 5 a short 
scholastic dissertation ; the radical, or original word from which an- 
other is derived. G. thema ,- from theo, (pond,) to place, or lay 
down. 

THEOCRACY, s. Government immediately superintended by God.' 

F. theocratie .- G. Theos, God, and krateo, to govern. 
THEOGONY. s. Fabulous generation of the gods. G. iheogonia; 

theos, a god, and gone, offspring. 
THEOLOGY, s. The science of divinity. G. theologia,- Theos, God, 

and logos, a description. 
THEOPHILANTHROP1ST. s. A lover of God and man. G. Theos, 

God, philo, a lover, and anthropos, a man. 
THEOREM, s. A position laid down as an acknowledged truth. G. 

theorema ,- theo, (pono,) to place, or lay down. 
THEORETIC, or THEORETICAL, adj. Speculative 5 depending on 

theory or speculation; not practical. G. theoretikos. See THEORY- 
THEORY, s. Speculation ; knowledge obtained by looking on, or 

from books, not from practice ; scheme or plan. G. theoreia ,- from 

theoreo, to view. 
THERAPEUTIC, adj. Teaching the cure of diseases. G. therapeuti- 

kos ; therapeuo, to heal. 
THERMOMETER, s. An instrument for measuring degrees of heat. 

G. therme, heat, and metreo, to measure. 

THESIS, s. A position ; something laid down, either affirmatively or 

negatively. G. thesis,- tithemi, ^pono,) to place, or lay down. 
THORACIC, adj. Belonging to the breast. L. thoracis, gen. of thorax, 

the inner part of the breast. G. thorax. 
THORAL. adj. Relating to a bed. L. thorns, or toros, twisted grass or 

straw, on which the ancients laid their bed-furniture, for the conve- 
nience of sleeping. G. toros, a rope. 
THRONE, s. A royal seat; the seat of a bishop. L. thronus : G. 

thronqs ,- from thrao, to sit. 
TIMID, adj. Fearful; timorous; wanting courage. L. timidus ,- timeo, 

to fear. 
TIMOROUS, adj. Fearful ; timid. L. iimor, fear. 
TINCTURE, s. Portion of extrinsic quality; extract of some drug, 

made in spirits. L. thndura ,- tinctus, p. part, of tingo, to dye. 
TINGE, v. To touch -lightly with u colour; to affect lightly with some 

quality. L. tingo,- G. tengo, to sprinkle. 
TINT. s. Delicate shade of colour. F. teinte : L. tinctus, p. part, of 

tingo, to dye. See TINGE. 
TITLE, s. A general head, comprising particulars ; an appellation of 

honour ; a name ; a claim of rig-lit. L. iitulus. 
TITULAR, adj. Nominal ; having or conferring only the title. F^ 

titulaire. See TITLE. 

U2 



TOA— Tor 

TOAST. ;». Bread, ■torched before a fire, and generally eater, witfi 
butter, but sometimes sopped or immersed in a liquor for drinking: ; 
a celebrated woman, whose health is. often drunk ; any person or 
sentiment expressed before drinking-. L. iostus, p. part, of torreo, 
to roast, or scorch. 

TOGA V1RIL1S. " The manly robe ; M the dress assumed by the 
Roman youth, on reaching- a certain period of life. L. toga, a gown, 
or robe, and virilis, (from vir,) manly. 

TOMB. s. A sepulchral monument, or grave, anciently marked by a 
heap of earth or stones. F. tombe : L. tumulus, a little hill ; from 
tumeo, to swell. 

TOMETICA. s. Medicines for opening" the pores, and dispersing" vis- 
cous humours. G. iemno, to cut. 

TON. s. Fashion. F. 

TONSOR. s. A barber. L. tonsor ; tonsus, p. part, of tondeo, to clip, 

TONSURE, s. The act of clipping- or shaving' the hair ; the part 
shaven. F. tonsure: L. tonsura ,- tonsus, p. part, of tondeo, to clip. 

TOP ARCH. s. The chief man of a place; a lord or governor of a small 
country. G. topos, a place, and archos, a chief. 

TOPIC, s. Subject of discourse; a general head, to which other things 
are referred ; an external remedy, applied to some particular part. 

F. topique : G. iopos, a place. 

TOPICAL, adj. Relating to some general head ; local ; confined to 
some particular place; applied, as a remedy, to some particular part- 
See TOPIC. 

TOPOGRAPHY, s. Description of particular places. F> topographies 

G. topos, a place, and grapho, to write. 

TORNADO, s. A whirlwind ; a hurricane. Spanish ; from the L. tor- 

natus, p. part, oftorno, to turn as a wheel. G. twno-o. 
TORPEDO, s. A fish, which, when living, is said to communicate 

numbness by an electric shock ; a submarine engine, invented by 

Robert Fulton of Pennsylvania, for destroying an enemy's ships. L. 

torpedo,- torpeo, to be numbed. 
TORPID, adj. Benumbed ; motionless ; inactive. L. i&rpldus. See 

TORPOR. 
TORPOR, s. Numbness ; inability to move ; dulness of sensation. L> 

torpor / from torpeo, to be numb. 
TORREFACTION. s. Act of roasting, or drying by the fire. F. torre- 

faction: L. torref actus, p. part, of torrefacio ; comp. of torreo, to 

roast, and facio, to make. 
TORRID, adj. Parched; scorching. L. torridus ,- from torreo, to 

roast. 
TORT. b. A wrong committed ; an injury. F. tort: L. tortus, p. part- 

of torqueo, to twist. 
TORTIOUS, adj. Wrongful ; injurious. See TORT. 
TORTUOUS, adj. Twisted ; winding. L. tortuosus ; tortus, p. part. 

of torqueo, to writhe. 
TORTURE, s. Infliction of pain ; pain, by which guilt is punished, or 

confession extorted ; extreme pain. L. tortura ; torturus, (future 

part, of torqueo,) about to writhe. 
TOTAL, adj. Whole ; complete ; full L. totalis ,• tot* so many, just 

so muck, 



TOT— TRA 

TOTIDEM VERBIS. In just so many words. L. 
TOUPET. s. A little tuft of hair. F. from toupier, to whirl aboO* 
TOUR. s. A journey, comprehending" many places, and requiring- vari- 
ous turnings. F. from tourner, to turn, or wind around: L. torno. 
TOURNAMENT, s. Tilt; joust; mock encounter. F. tournoyement « 

tournoyer, tourner, to whirl about. L. tamo. 
TOURNIQUET, s. A surgical instrument, used in amputation, &x. 
capable of being- straitened or relaxed by turning a handle. F. from 
tourner, to turn. 
TRACE, s. Mark left by any thing passing ; appearance of what has 
been ; harness .by which a beast draws a carriage, &c. (verb, — to 
follow by the trace or remaining mark ; to delineate, &c.) F. trace. 
See TRACK. 
TRACK, s. Trace ; mark impressed on a road, by any thing drawn 
over it ; impression ; beaten path. L. tractus ; from the p. part, of 
traho, to draw. 
TRACT, s. A region, the boundaries of which are supposed to be 
traced out, or defined ; a treatise ; a small book. L. tractus ,• from 
a part, of traho, to draw. 
TRACTABLE, adj. Manageable ; docile ; compliant. L. tractabilis ,- 

tractus, p. part, of traho, to draw. 
TRACTILE, adj. Capable of being drawn out; ductile. See TRACT- 
ABLE. 
TRACTION, s. Act of drawing ; state of being drawn. L. tractus, p. 
. part, of traho, to draw. 

TRADE, s. Traffic ; mutual delivery or exchange of merchandise ? 
species of traffic. L. trado, to deliver: comp. of trans, across, and 
do, to give. 
TRADITION, s. Delivery or oral communication of occurrences, from 
one age to another ; an occurrence thus communicated. L. traditio,- 
from trado, to deliver. 
TRADUCE, t'. To censure, or calumniate. L. traduco ,- trans, across, 
and duco, to carry; meaning to bear about, from one to another, that 
which is unfavourable. 
TRADUCIBLE. adj. Deliverable; derivable. L. traduco,- trans', 

across, or from one place to another, and duco, to lead. 
TRAFFIC, v. To trade in person, or by means of an agent, abroad. 
Italian, traffico : L. trans, across, or from one place to another, and 
facio, to make, or do. 
TRAGEDY, s. A dramatic representation, of a serious and affecting 
kind ; a mournful event ; a dreadful catastrophe. L. tragoedia : G. 
tragodia,- from tragos, a male-goat, and ode, a song. Tragedy, 
which has attained so high dignity, was, at first, only a trial of 
iambics between two peasants, and a goat was the prize: thus, Hor- 
ace calls it, vile certamen ob hircum, — "a mean contest for a he- 
goat." 
TRAGIC, or TRAGICAL, adj. Relating to tragedy ; mournful ; ca- 
lamitous ; dreadful. L. tragicus. See TRAGEDY: 
TRAIN, v. To educate ; to teach ; to exercise. F. trainer.- L. tra- 

hendus, p. future part, of traho, to draw. 
TRAIN, s. That which is designed to be drawn after any thing, — as, 
the tail of a bird, the tail of a gown, or cannon accompanying an 



TRA— TRA 

arm}'; a connected series, in which one thing- is followed by another; 

process ; method ; retinue ? a trail or line of powder, reaching" to a 

mine, &c. F. train; L. trahendus, (to be drawn,) p. future part. 

oftraho, to draw. 
TRAIT, s. Sketch ; moral picture ; moral feature ; action, or striking 1 

occurrence in human life, (generally pronounced tray,) F. trait, 

(formerly traict:) L. tracius ,- from the p. part, of traho, to draw. 
TRAITOR, s. One who delivers, to an enemy, that with which he has 

been intrusted ; one who, being trusted, betrays. F. traitre ; L. 

traditor ,- trado, to deliver, or yield. 
TRA'JECT. s. A ferry 5 a means of passing across, a river. L. tra- 

jectus; from the p. part, of trajicio ; trans, across, and jacio, to 

throw. 
TRAJECT'. v. To throw across ; to cast. See the substantive. 
TRAMMEL, s. A net 5 a kind of shackles, in which horses are taught 

tcpace; a human snare; an impediment or obstruction. F. tramaiL- 

L._ trames, a cross way : tramissus, p. part, of tramitto, (for irans- 

mitto : ) trans, across, and miito, to send. 
TRANCE. .. See TRANSE. 
TRANSACT, v. To negotiate ; to manage ; to perform ; to do. L. 

iransacium, sup. of iransigo ; comp. of trans, across, or from one 

place to another, and ago, to do. 
TRANSCEND! v. To surpass ; to exceed, or excel ; to surmount. L. 

transcendo ; trans, beyond, and scando, to climb. 
TRANSCRIBE, v. To copy in writing. L. transcribo ; trans, across, 

or from one place to another, and scribo, to write. 
TRANSCRIPT, s. A written copy. L. transcriptus, p. part, of trans- 
cribe). See TRANSCRIBE. 
TRANSE. 5. State of apparent death; sleep, unusually prolonged. F. 

trans : L. transitus, p. part, of transeo,- trans, beyond, and eo, to go. 
TRANSFER, v. To convey; to remove. L. transfero,- trans, across, 

and fero, to cany. 
TRANSFIGURATION, s. Change of form. L. transfiguratio ,• from 

transfiguro; trans, across, or from one to another, and figuro, to 

shape. See FIGURE. 
•TRANSFIX, v. To pierce through. L. transfixum, sup. of transjigo ; 

trans, across, and^go, to stick, or fasten. 
TRANSFORM, v. To metamorphose ; to change the shape. L. trans- 

formo ,• trans, across, or from one to another, and forma, shape. 
TRANSFUSE, v. To pour out of one into another ; to spread. L. 

transfusum, sup. 01 transfundo, -trans, across, or beyond, and fundo, 

to pour. 
TRANSGRESS, v. To pass beyond; to violate; to offend, by violating 

a law. L. transgression, sup. of transgredior ; trans, beyond, and 

gradim*, to walk: gradus, a step. 
TRANSIENT, adj. Soon past ; soon passing ; momentary. L. tran- 

sierts, part, of transeo ; trans, across, and eo, to go. 
TRANSIT. 5. Passage; the passage of any planet over the sun, moon, 

or stars. L. transitus. See TRANSITION. 
TRANSITION, s. Removal ; passage from one state or thing to an- 
other ; change. L. iransitio ; transitus, part, of transeo ;. trans, 

across, and eo, to go. 



TRA—TRA 

TRANSITIVE, adj. Having- the power of passing ; (in grammar,^) a 
verb transitive is that which signifies an action, conceived as having 
an effect upon some object. L. transitivus. See TRANSITION. 

TRANSITORY, adj. Continuing only a short time; speedily vanishing. 
L. transitorius. See TRANSITION. 

TRANSLATE, v. To remove ; to convey ; to change into another lan- 
guage. L. translation, sup. of transfero ; trans, across, or from one 
to another, and/e?-0, to carry. 

TRANSLOCATION, s. Change of place. L. trans, across, or from 
one to another, and locus, a place. 

TRANSLUCENT, or TRANSLUCID. adj. Transparent; clear; afford- 
ing a passage to the light through its pores. L. translucens, part, of 
translucto, to shine through: comp. of trans, across, and luceo, to 
shine. Translucid is derived from irunslucidus. 

TRANSMARINE, adj. Situated on the other side of the sea ; found 
beyond sea. L. transrnarinus ,- trans, across, or beyond, and mare, 
the sea. 

TRANSMIGRATION, s. Passage from one place or state into another, 
L. transnv grains, p. part, of transmigro ; from trans, across, mean- 
ing from one to another, and nrigro, to remove. 

TRANSMISSION, s. Act of transmitting. L. transmissio ,• transmissus., 
p. part, of transmitto. See TRANSPUT. 

TRANSMIT, v. To send from one person or place to another. L. 
transmitto ,- trans, across, and mitto, to send. 

TRANSMONTANE. adj. Beyond the mountain. L. trans, across, 
and mons, a mountain. - 

TRANSMUTE, v. To change from one nature to another. L. trans- 
muio ,• from trans, across, meaning from one to another, and muto, 
to change. 

TRANSPARENT, adj. Allowing the light to pass through its pores ; 
clear ; pellucid ; not opaque. F. transparent : L. trans, across, and 
parens, part, of pareo, to appear. 

TRANSPIERCE, v. To pierce through ; to transfix. L. trans, across, 
and pierce. 

TRANSPIRE, v. To perspire ; to escape from secrecy to publicity, 
L. transpiro ; trans, across, or beyond, and spiro, to breathe. 

TRANSPLANT, v. To remove, and plant in another place; to remove 
and settle. L. trans, across, or beyond, and plant. 

TRANSPORT', v. To cany from one place to another, at a consider- 
able distance ; to hurry by violence of passion ; to put into extasy. 
L. transporto ; trans, across, or beyond, and porto, to carry. 

TRANSPORT, s. Conveyance; a vessel in which soldiers or munitions 
of war are conveyed ; extasy. See the verb. 

TRANSPOSE, v. To alter, interchangeably, the position of things or 
words. F. transposer : L. transposition, sup. of transpono ,• trans,^ 
across, and pono, to place. 

TRANSUBSTANTIATION. s. A miraculous operation, believed in 
the Church of Rome, by which the bread and wine of the eucharist 
are supposed to be changed into the real body and blood of Christ. 
F. transubstantiation : L. trans, across, or from ene to another, ai»<i 
substantia, substance. 



TRA— TRE 

TRANSUDE, v. To pass through in sweat, or vapour. L. tram, 
across, or beyond, and sudo, to sweat. 

TRANSVERSE, adj. In a direction across. L. transversus, p. part, of 
transyerio ; trans, across, andverto, to turn. 

TRAVAIL, v. To labour? to toil; to harass; to be in labour; to suffer 
the pains of childbirth. F. travalller, to trouble. 

TRAVEL, v. To make a journey ; to pass ; to move. This verb is 
generally supposed to be the same as travail ,• though it is now dif- 
ferently spelled, when expressing the toil of a journey, &c. 

TRAVERSE, adj. Lying across ; — 5. that which lies across ; a thwart- 
ing obstacle, &e. *F. traverse. See TRANSVERSE. 

TRAVERSE, v. To cross ; to thwart ; to oppose, or cross by an ob- 
jection ; to travel over. F. traverser. See TRANSVERSE. 

TRAVESTY, s. A burlesque imitation. F. travesti, part, of travestir, 
to disguise. L. trans, across, meaning contrariety or opposition, 
and vestis, a garment. 

TREACHERY, s. Perfidy; breach of faith. F. tricherie; from tricher, 
to cheat. L. tricor, to trifle, or baffle. 

TREASON, s. An offence committed against the safety of a people, 
or of a sovereign or state. F. trahison,- from trahissant, part, of 
irakir, to betray. L. traho, to draw, or entice. 

TREASURY, s. A place in which money is deposited. F. tresorerie: 
L. thesaurus : G. thesauros : comp. of thesis, a place, and auros, 
riches. 

TREAT, v. To negotiate ; to 'discourse on ; to use in any manner, 
well or ill ; to conduct ; to manage ; to entertain gratuitously. F. 
tr aiter : L. tracto ,■ from tr actum, sup. of traho, to draw, or stretch 
out, lead, allure, or contract. 

TREATISE, s. Written discourse ; tract See TREAT. 

TREATY, s. Negotiation ; compact. See TREAT. 

TREBLE, adj. Threefold ; (in music,) of a sharp sound. F. triple. 
See TRIPLE. 

TREFOIL, s. A species of clover, or three-leaved grass. L. trefolium: 
tres, three, and folium, a leaf. 

TREMBLE, v. To shake as with fear or cold ; to quake ; to quaver ; 
to shudder ; to totter. F. tremble)* : L. tremo, to shake. 

TREMENDOUS, adj. Dreadful ; astonishingly terrible. L. tremendust 
from iremc, to shake. 

TREMOR, or TREMOUR. s. State of trembling ; quivering or vibra- 
tory motion. L. tremor -; iremo, to shake. 

TREMULOUS, adj. Trembling ; fearful ; quivering ; vibratory. L. 
iremulus. See TREMOR. 

TRENCH, s. A pit or ditch. F. tranche ; trancher, to cut. L. trunco, 
to chop off. 

TRENCHANT, adj. Cutting; sharp. F. tranchant, part, of trancher; 
L. trunco, to chop off. 

TRENCHER, s, A wooden plate, on which meat is cut at table. F. 
trend ioir ; trencher, to cut: L. trunco, to cut into pieces. 

TREPAN, s. An instrument used for cutting circular pieces out of the 
skull. F. trepan : G. trepo, to turn. 

TREPIDATION, s. State of violent trembling, or quivering ; state of 



TRE— TRI 

being terrified. L. trepidatio ; trepido, to quake for fear, or be 
amazed. 

TRESPASS, v. To transgress ; to - offend ; to enter unlawfully into 
another's ground. F. trespasser: L. trans, across, and passus, a 
step. 

TREY. s. A three, of cards, dice, he. L. tres, three. 

TRIAD, s. Three united. L. trios ; tres, three. 

TRIANGLE, s. Having three angles. L. triangulum ; tres, three, and 
angulum, an angle. 

TRIBE, s. A distinct body of people, as distinguished by nation, family, 
or fortune. In the reign of Romulus, after a treaty had been made 
with the invading- Sabines, it was agreed, that Rome should be in- 
habited by Romans and Sabines, in common ; and that they should 
be divided mto three sections, {tribu-s,) called Rhanrmnses, Talienses, 
and Lucrenses. The word tribe is, therefore, derived from an in- 
flexion of the L. adj. tres, three. 

TRIBULATION, s. Persecution ; distress 5 vexation. F. tribulation : 
L. tribuh, to thresh. 

TRIBUNAL, s. The seat of a judge ; a court of justice. L. tribunal. 
See TRIBUNE. 

TRIBUNE, s. Originally- the chief officer of a Roman tribe ; after- 
wards, an officer of Rome, chosen by the people, to guard their 
liberties ; or the commander of a cohort. L. tribunus. See TRIBE. 

TRIBUTARY, adj. Subject to pay tribute 5 relating to tribute ; paid 
in tribute 5 subordinate. L. tributarius. See TRIBUTE. 

TRIBUTE, s. Payment made by a subjected pc pie to their victors ; 
acknowledgment. L. tribuium ,• trJjuo, to gi^'e, or grant. 

TRICHOPHYLLON. s. A plant with leaves resembling hair. G. tri- 
chion, hair, phullon, a leaf. 

TRICOLOURED. adj. Having three. colours. L. tres, three, and co- 
loured. 

TRIDENT, s. The three -pronged sceptre of Neptune. L. tridens ,- 
tres, three, and dens, a tooth. 

TRIDUAN. adj. Lasting tnree days ; happening every third day. L. 
ir.'d-ium ,- tres., three, and dies, a day. 

TRIENNIAL, adj. Lasting' three years? happening once in three years. 
L. triennis ,■ tres, three, and innus, a year. 

TRIFOLIATE, adj. Having three leaves. L. tres, three, and folium, 
a leaf. 

TRIFORM, adj. Having a triple shape. L. triformis; tres, three, and 
forma, a shape. 

TRIGONAL, adj. Triangular; three-cornered. G. tr'gonon, a trian- 
gle: treis, three, and gonia, a cor ler, )r angle. 

TRIGONOMETRY. 5. "The art of measuring triangles. G. trigonos, 
a triangle, and metreo, to measure: 

TRILATERAL, adj. Having three sides. F. trilateral: L. trid, (neu- 
ter of tres,) three, and latere, \,\. a l'v;> \ a sj ie. 

TRIMETER, adj. Consisting of three poetical m sasures. G. trimeiros,- 
treis, three, and metron, a measure. 

TRINAL. adj. Threefold. L. trinus „■ tres, three, ana uhus, one. 

TRINITY. 5. Three in one. L. triniias; ires, three, and wiitas, unity; 
units, one. 



TRI— TRO 

TRIPARTITE, adj. Divided into three parts ; having three correa* 

pondent copies ; relating" to three parties. L. tripartita ,• comp. of 

tres, three, and partitus, p. part, of partio, to divide. 
TRIPEDAL. adj. Having- three feet. L. tripedis, gen. of tripes, • tres t 

three, and pes, a foot. 
TRIPETALOUS. adj. Having- a flower consisting- of three leaves. G. 

treis, three, and petalon, a leaf. 
TRIPHTHONG, s. The coalition of three vowels to form one sound. 

G. treis, three, and phthongos, a sound. 
TRIPLE, adj. Threefold; treble. F. triple: L. triplex,- comp. of 

tres, three, and plico, to fold. 
TRIPLET. s. Three of a land ; three verses rhyming- together. See 

TRIPLE. 
TRIPLICATE, s. Made thrice as much 5 a second copy, or third of 

three of the same kind. L. iriplicatus. See TRIPLE. 
TRIPOD. 5. A seat with three feet. G. tripous, (gen. tripodos ,•) from 

treis, three, and pons, a foot. 
TRIPTOTE. s. A noun used only in three cases. L. triptoton : G. 

treis, three, and ptosis, a case. 
TRIREME. 5. A galley with three benches of oars. L. triremis ; from 

tres, three, and remits, an oar. 
TRISECT, v. To cut into three parts. L. tres, three, and seco, to cut. 
TRISYLLABLE, s. A word consisting of three syllables. L. trisyllabu; 

ires, three, and syllaba, a syllable. 
TRITJEUS. s. The tertian ague. G. tritaios, tertian: treis, three. 
TRITE, adj. Worn out ; common. L. tritus, p. part, of tero, to rub. 
TRITURATE, v. To levigate or reduce to powder by friction. L. 

trituro: from trituvus, (future part, of tero,) about to rub. 
TRIUMPH. 5. Pomp with which a victory is celebrated; state of being 

victorious ; conquest. L. triumphus : G. thriambos : thrion, a leaf, 

(meaning, of laurel,) and embaino, to go in state. 
TRIUMVIRATE, or TRIUMVIRI. s. Coalition of three men, as of 

Caesar, Pomp ey, and Crassus. L. triumviraius, or triumviri: tres, 

three, and viri, (pi. of vir,) men. 
TRIUNE, adj. Three and one, at the same time. L. ires, three, and 

unus, one. 
TRIVIAL, adj. Vulgar ; trifling ; unimportant ; inconsiderable. L. 

trivia U s : trivium, a place where three ways meet, (therefore,) a 

place of common resort : ires, three, and via, a way; 
TROCHOLTCS. s. The art of wheel-work. G. trochos, a wheel. 
TROPE, s. Figurative change of a word from its original signification. 

G. tropos : from trepo, to turn. 
TROPHY, s. Something shown- or treasured up in proof of victory. 

L. tropsexvm, or tropkseum : G. trcpaion : from trepo, to turn ; allud- 
ing to the flight or turning of the enemy. 
TROPIC. 5-. The line at which the sun appears to return, in his decli- 
nation to the north or to the south. L. tropicus : G. trepo, to turn. 
TROPICAL, adj. In grammar, figurative: from Trope: — In astronomy, 

within or belonging to the tropics. See TROPIC. 
TROVER, s. In the common law, an action which one person has 

against another, who has found, (or has, by any means, in his pos- 



TRO— TUR 

session) any of the plaintiff's goods, and refuses to deliver them. F, 
trouver, to find. 

TROY. adj. A species of weight, of which there are 12 ounces in a 
pound. — The fair of Troves, in Champaign, (says Adam Smith) 
was, in the reign of Henry VIII. of England, (by whom this weight 
was introduced into the mint,) frequented by all the nations of Eu- 
rope, and its weights and measures generally known and esteemed. 

TRUCK, s. A kind of carriage, with low wheels, for carrying heavy 
weights. G. trochos, a wheel. 

TRUCKLE, s. A small wheel ; the moveable part of a pulley. G. 
trochos, a wheel. 

TRUNCATE, v. To lop ; to cut short ; to maim. L. trunco. See 
TRUNK. 

TRUNCHEON, s. A short staff ; a cudgel ; a staff of command. F. 
troncon : L. truncus, cut short, 

TRUNK, s. The body of a tree, exclusive of the branches ; the body 
of an animal, without the limbs ; a hollow piece of timber, for con- 
veying fluids ; a species of chest ; the proboscis of an elephant. L. 
trunciiSy cut short. 

TUBERCLE, s. A small swelling or excrescence ; a pimple. L. tu- 
berculum ; dim. of tuber, a puff, growing in the ground like a mush- 
room. 

TUBEROUS, adj. Having prominent knots or excrescences. L. tu- 
berosus ; tuber, a puff growing in the ground like a mushroom. 

TUBULAR, adj Resembling a pipe ; consisting of a pipe or pipes ; 
fistular. L. tubus, a. conduit-pipe. 

TUBULE, s. A small pipe, or fistular body. L. tubulus, dim. a? tubus, 
a conduit-pipe. 

TUITION, s. Guardianship ; care exercised by a guardian or tutor ; 
general instruction. L. initio ; tutus, p. part, oftueor, to behold, or 
defend. 

TUMEFACTION, s. Swelling. L. tumef actio ; from tumefactus, p. 
part, of tumef acio ; comp. oi' tumeo, to swell, and facio, to make. 

TUMID, adj. Swelled; protuberant; pompous; falsely sublime. L. 
iumidus ; tumeo, to swell. 

TUMOUR, s. A morbid swelling. L. tumor ; tumeo, to swell. 

TUMULOSE. adj. Full of little hills. L. tumulosus ; tumulus, a hil- 
lock: from tumeo, to swell. 

TUMULT, s. Promiscuous commotion in a multitude ^ popular dis- 
turbance. L. tumultus ; from tumeo, to swell. 

TUNIC, s. Part of the Roman dress ; (in anatomy,) a natural covering 
or integument. L. tunica. 

TUNICLE. s. Natural cover ; integument. L. tunicula, a little coat. 
See TUNIC. 

TURBID, adj. Muddy. L. hirbidus ; turbo, a whirling round. 

TURBULENCE, s. Tumult; confusion; disorder. L. turbulentia ,■ 
turba, a crowd: turbo, a whirling round. 

TURGESCENCE. s. The act of swelling; the state of being swelled; 
vain magnificence. L. turgescens, part, ofturgesco. See TURGID. 

TURGID, adj. Swelling ; bloated ; pompous ; vainly magnificent. L. 
iurgidus ,• from ta^geo, to swell. 

TURPITUDE, s. Vilenessj badnesa. L. turpitudo; turpis, filthy. 



TUR— ULT 

TURRET, s. A small eminence, or little tower, raised above the rest 
of a building-. L. turris, a tower. 

TUTELAGE, s. Guardianship ; state of being- under a tutor or guard- 
ian. F. tutelage .- L. tutela. See TUITION. 

TUTELAR, or TUTELARY, adj. Protecting; guarding. F. tutelaire. 
See TUTELAGE. 

TUTOR, s. One who has the care of another's learning and morals ; a 
teacher. L. tutor ; from tutus, p. part, of tueor, to behold, or de- 
fend. 

TYMPANUM, s. A part of the ear, which is supposed to be the im- 
mediate organ of hearing; so called, from its resemblance to a drum. 
L. tympanum : G. tumpanon, a drum. 

TYMPANY, s. A kind of obstructed flatulence, which swells the body- 
like a drum. L. tympanum : G. tumpanon, a drum. 

TYPE. s. A mark ; an emblem ; prefiguration ; a printing letter. L. 
iypus .- G. tupos, a mark ; from tupto, to beat. 

TYPHUS, s. A species of continued fever. G. iuphos, stupor, sense- 
lessness. 

TYPICAL, adj. Emblematical ; figurative. L. typicus. See TYPE. 

TYPIFY, v. To figure ; to show by an emblem. L. typus, a type, and 
facio, to make. See TYPE. 

TYPOGRAPHY, s. Emblematical or hieroglyphical representation ; 
art of printing with types. L. typographia .• G. tupos, a type, and 
grapho, to write. See TYPE. 

TYRANNICIDE, s. The act of killing a tyrant ; one who has killed a 
tyrant. L. tyrannus, a tyrant, and caedo, to kill. 

TYRANT, s. Originally meant one who had gained the ascendency, 
or absolute rule, in a republic ; it now denotes an imperious mon- 
arch ;' a cruel and severe master ; an oppressor. L. tyrannus : G. 
turannos, regal: teiro, to subject. 

TYRO. s. One not yet master of his art ; a beginner. L. tyro, or tiro-. 

U. 

UBIQUITY, s. Omnipresence; existence at the same time in all places. 
L. ubique, in every place. 

ULCER, s. A hollow sore, from which matter issues. F. ulcere: L. 
ulcus : G. ulx, a furrow. 

ULIGINOUS, adj. Oozy; slimy; muddy. L. uliginosus ; u tigo, the 
natural moisture of the earth. 

ULTERIOR, adj. Further. L. compar. of ultra, beyond: ultra, ulte- 
rior, ultimus. 

ULTIMATE, adj. Intended as the last resort ; last in a train of conse- 
quences. L. ultimus, the last ; superl. of ultra, bevond. 

ULTIMATUM, s. Ultimate or last offer or decision. See ULTI- 
MATE. 

ULTIMO, abbreviated ult°. or ult. The last preceding [month]. L» 
abl. of ultimus, last. 

ULTRAMARINE, adj. Situated beyond the sea ; foreign. L. ultra. 
beyond, and mare, the sea. 

ULTRAMONTANE, adj. Situated beyond the mountains. L. ultra. 
beyond,, and mans, (gen. montis,) a mountain. 






ULT— UNI 

ULTRAMUNDANE, adj. Beyond the world. L. ultra, beyond, aud 
mundus, the world. 

UMBRAGE, s. Shade; shadow: — resentment; offence; suspicion of 
injury. — The last three uses of this word, umbrage, maybe explain- 
ed, by supposing", that the person giving an offence, is thrown, as it 
is said, in the shade, or out of tbe favourable aspect of the other's 
countenance. F. ombrage .• L. umbra, a shadow, or shade. 

UMBRAGEOUS, adj. Shady; yielding shade. F. ombragieux : L. 
umbra, a shadow, or shade. 

UMBRELLA, s. A portable skreen, used as a shelter from the sun, or 
from the rain. L. umbra, a shade. 

UMPIRE, s. One, to whose sole judgment, the decision of a contro- 
versy is referred. L. imperator ,• impero, to rale. 

UN. A Saxon privative or negative particle, having the same effect 
as the L. in, when this preposition is used to mark privation or ne- 
gation: thus, unconnected, means not connected, and ewcapable, 
not capable. 

UNANIMOUS, adj. Of one mind; without any discordance. L. unanU 
mus, or unanimis ; comp. of unus, one, and animus, the mind. 

UNCTION, s. Act of anointing; rite of anointing; ointment. L. unctioi 
unctus, p. part, ofungo, or unguo, to smear. 

UNCTUOUS. adj. Fat ; clammy ; oily. L. unctus. See UNCTION. 

UNDULARY. adj. Moving as waves ; moving with intermissions. See 
UNDULATE. 

UNDULATE, v. To move as waves ; to move with intermissions. L, 
undulo ; unda, a waye. 

UNGUENT, s. Ointment. L. unguentum,- from unguo, or ungo, to 
smear. 

UNICORN, s. A beast that has naturally only one horn. L. unicornis,- 
unus, one, and cornu, a horn. 

UNIFORM, adj. Similar to itself; preserving the same tenor; con- 
forming to one rule; acting in the same manner; agreeing with each 
other. L. unus, one, and forma, shape. 

UNION, s. Junction, so as out of two or more, to make one; concord. 
F. union ; from the L. unus, one. 

UNIPAROUS. adj. Bringing forth one at a birth. L. unus, one, and 
pario, to bring forth. 

UNIQUE, adj. When we say a thing is unique, we mean that it is the 
only thing of its kind. F, unique .• L. unicus ; unus, one. 

UNIT. s. One ; the least number, or the root of numbers. See 
UNITY. 

UNITARIAN, s. One who does not believe in the doctrine of the 
trinity. L. unus, one. 

UNITE, v. To join two or more, so as to make one; to act in concert; 
to be cemented, &c. See UNITY. 

UNITY, s. The state of being one; concord; conjunction; uniformity; 
species of dramatic propriety. L. unitas ,- unus, one. 

UNIVERSAL, adj. General ; extending to all ; total ; whole ; not 
particular. L. universalis ,- unus, one, and versus, p, part, of verto, 
to turn. 

UNIVERSE, s. The general system of things ; the whole creation. 
See UNIVERSAL- 



UNI— UXO 

UNIVERSITY, s. A college, incorporated for the education of youtE, 
in all the liberal ails, sciences, &c, and empowered to confer de- 
grees. A university generally comprehends many colleges, as is 
exemplified in those of Oxford and Cambridge, in England. L. 
umversitas. See UNIVERSAL. 

UNIVOCAL. adj. Having one meaning ; certain ; regular. L. uni~ 
vocus ; comp. of unus, one, and vox, (gen. vocis,) a voice. 

URBANITY, s. Civility ; elegance ; politeness ; agreeableness. L. 
urbanitas, a city life, civility, courtesy: urbs, a city. 

URGE. v. To incite ; to push ; to drive ; to press by motives, or by 
argument; to enforce; to importune or solicit. L. urgeo, to press on. 

URGENT, adj. Inciting ; pressing ; importunate or solicitous. L. ur- 
gent, part, of urgeo. See URGE. 

URINAL, s. A vessel for holding urine. F. urinal: L. urina : G. 
ouron, urine. 

URN. s. A water pot, the mouth of which is narrower than the body : 
a vessel of similar form, in which the remains of burned bodies were 
deposited ; an ornament of the same shape. L. urna, a water- 
pitcher. 

USAGE. s. Custom ; long continued practice ; treatment. F. usage : 
L. usus. See USE. 

USE. s. Application to any purpose ; proper designation or instru- 
mentality ; agency ; help ; benefit ; practice, &c. L. usus ,- from 
a part, of utor, to use. 

USHER, s. One whose business is to introduce strangers, or walk be- 
fore persons of high rank ; an under-teacher, or one who introduces 
young scholars to higher learning. F. huissier ; from huts, a door. 

USTULATION. a. The roasting of ores, to separate the arsenic and 
sulphur from the metal. L. ustulatus, p. part, oiusiulo, (from uro,) 
to burn. 

USUFRUCT, s. Temporary use ; enjoyment of the profits, without 
power to alienate. L. usus, use, and/mc^ws, fruit. 

USURP, v. To possess by force or intrusion ; to seize or possess with- 
out right. L. usurpo, the frequentative form of utor, to use. 

"USURY, s. Money paid for the use of money ; interest ; the practice 
of taking interest. But the term usury , is now used only to denote 
a higher rate of interest than is allowed by law, or the practice of 
charging it. F. usure ; L. usura ,■ from utor, to use. 

UTENSIL, s. An instrument for use. F. utensile : L. utor, to use. 

UTERINE, adj. Relating or belonging to the womb. L. uterinus. 
See UTERUS. 

UTERUS. *. The womb. L. 

UTILE DULCI. The usefid with the pleasant. L. 

UTILITY, s. Usefulness ; profit ; convenience. L. utilitas ; utor, to 

use. 
VTI POSSIDETIS. A diplomatic phrase, used when two or more 
states desire to make peace, on the terms that each shall retain the 
possessions which it then holds: opposed to status quo ante bellum. 
L. uti, as, possidetis, (from possideo,) you possess. 

UXORIOUS, adj. Submissively fond of a wife ; infected with conntt- 

- bial dotage. L. uocorius; uxor, a wife. 



VAC— VAN 



VACANT, adj. Empty ; unoccupied ; thoughtless ; unintelligent. L. 

vacan.% part, of vaco, to be empty. 
VACATE, v. To make vacant, or void ; to quit possession of. L. 

vaco, to be empty. 
VACATION, s. Recess from a place of business; intermission of 
stated employments. L. vacatio > vacatus, p. part, of vaco, to be 
empty. 
VACCINE, adj. Vaccine inoculation (an important substitute for the 
variolus,) was perfected by Dr. Jenner of England, about the year 
1800, and received its name from the infectious matter having been 
first taken from tlie teats of cows. L. vacca, a cow. 

VACUITY, s. Emptiness ; space unfilled, or unoccupied 5 want of 
reality. L. vacuitas. See VACUUM. 

VACUUM, s. Space unoccupied by matter, or from which the atmo 1 
spheric air has been exhausted. L. from vaco, to be empty. 

VAGABOND, adj. Wandering, without any settled habitation ; (al- 
ways, now, considered in a reproachful sense. ) F." vagabond: L« 
vagabundus ; vagor, to wander. 

VAGARY, s. A freak ; a capricious frolic. L. vagor, to wander. 

VAGRANT, adj. Wandering ; unsettled ; vagabond. L. vagor, to 
wander. 

VAGUE, adj. Unfixed ; unsettled ; undetermined ; indefinite. F. 
vague : L. vagus ,- vagor, to wander. 

VAIN. adj. Unreal ; shadowy ; showy ; fond of admiration ; useless ; 
fruitless; ineffectual, &c. F. vain: L. vanus, empty. 

VALE. s. A valley ; a hollow between hills. L. vallis ; from vallo, to 
enclose. 

VALEDICTION, s. A farewell. L. vale, farewell, and dictio, a saying: 
dico, to speak. 

VALEDICTORY, adj. Bidding farewell. See VALEDICTION. 

VALETUDINARIAN, s. One who, through infirmity of body, is com- 
pelled to nurse himself, in order to restore his constitution. L. vale.' 
tudo, health, or sickness. 

VALIANT, adj. Strong ; brave. F. vaillant : L. valeo, to be strong. 

VALID, adj. Efficacious ; convincing ; conclusive. L. validus ; from 
valeo, to be strong. 

VALLEY, s. A vale ; a hollow between hills. L. vallis; vallo, to en- 
close. 

VALOUR, s. Strength ; bravery. L. valor ; valeo, to be strong. 

VALUE, s. Price ; worth ; rate. F. value; valoir, to have worth: L. 
valeo, to be strong. 

VAN. s. The front division of an army or fleet. F. avant, before. 

VANISH, v. To lose perceptible existence; to disappear; to pass 
away. L. inceptive, vanesco „• from vanus, empty. 

VANITY, s. Emptiness ; fruitless endeavour ; vain pursuit ; presump- 
tion ; idle show ; fondness of admiration. L. vanitas. See VAIN. 

VANQUISH, v. To conquer. F.vaincre: h.vinco; from vincio, to 
bind. 

X2 



VAP— VEN 

VAPID, adj. Spiritless; having the spirit evaporated. L. vapidus 

See VAPOUR. 
VAPOUR, s. Fluid in an xriform state ; steam. L. vapor. 
VARIANCE, s. Disagreement ; discord ; dissension. See VARY. 
VARIEGATE, v. To diversify ; to stain with various colours. From 

vary, with the addition of the L. verb ago, to make. 
VARIETY, s. Change 5 difference ; dissimilitude ; deviation. L. vari- 

etas. See VARY. 
VARIOLOID, s. A new species of disorder, resembling the small-pox. 

L. variolae ,• from varus, a spot, and G. eidos, form. 
VARIOUS, adj. Changeable ; uncertain ; different ; several. L. va* 

rim. See VARY. 
VARY. v. To change ; to diversify ; to be changeable ; to deviate 5 

to disagree. L. vario, to draw with, (or be of,) various colours: 

varus, a spot. 
VASCULAR, adj. Consisting of little vessels ; full of little vessels. L. 

vasculum, dim. of vas, a vessel. 
VASE. s. A domestic vessel, rather for show than use. F. vase : L. 

vas, a vessel (of any kind, for domestic use. ) 
VASSAL, s. One who holds of a superior lord ; a dependant ; one 

who acts by the will of another. F. vassal : L. vas, a pledge, or 



VAST. adj. Very large ; very great ; immensely »pacious. L. vastus, 

waste, desolate, wide, huge, &c. 
VATICINATION, s. Act of prophesying; a foretelling. L. vaticination 

from votes, a prophet. 
VEAL. s. The flesh of a calf. F. veau: L. vitulus, a calf. 
VEDETTE, s. A mounted sentinel, who observes the movements of 

an enemy. F. vedette ; from the L. video, to see. 
VEGETABLE. *. Any thing that grows as a plant. L. vegetabilis. 

See VEGETATE. 
VEGETATE, v. To grow as plants ; to grow without sensation. L. 

vegeto { from vegeo, to be strong and healthy, to stir or move up. 
VEHEMENT, adj. Violent ; forcible ; ardent. L. vehemens ,- veho, to 

carry. 
^VEHICLE, v. That in which any thing is carried ; that by means of 

which any thing is conveyed. L. vehiculum ; veho, to carry. 
VEIL. s. A small curtain for concealing the face ; means of conceal- 
ment ; a disguise. L. velum ; veto, to cover. 
VELOCIPEDE, s. A small carriage, driven by the feet. L. velox, 

(gen. velocis,) swift, and pes, (gen. pedis, ) a foot. 
"VELOCITY, s. Speed; swiftness. L. velocitas,- velox, swift: from 

tioh, (volare,) to fly. 
VENAL, adj. Mercenary; prostitute. F. venal: L. venalis ,- -from 

veneo, to be sold. 
YENATIC. adj. Used in hunting. L.. venaticus ; venatus, part, of 

venor, to seek after, or hunt. 
VEND. v. To sell. L. vendo, to sell. 
VENDIBLE, adj. Saleable. L. vendibilis ,- vendo, to sell. 
VENDITIONI EXPONAS. The name of a judicial writ, directing 

a sheriff to sell certain property therein described. L. exponas f you 

must expose 3 venditioni, to sale: expono, and vendition 



VEN— VER 

VENDUE, s. Public sale, generally by auction. F. from vendre ; L; 

vendo, to sell. 
VENENATE. v. To poison; to infect with poison. L. veneno : G. 

pheno, to kill. 
VENERABLE, adj. To be regarded with awe ; to be treated with 

reverence ; deserving the highest degree of respect. L. venerabilis. 

See VENERATE. 
VENERATE, v. To regard with awe ; to reverence. L. veneror, to 

worship. 
VENESECTION, s. Act of opening a vein ; blood-letting. L. vena, 

a vein, and sectus, p. part, of seen, to cut. 
VENIAL, adj. Pardonable 5 excusable ; permitted. F. veniel: L. 

venia, leave. 
VENIRE FACIAS. The name of a judicial writ, by which a sheriff 

is directed to summon a jury. L. facias, you must cause, [them,] 

venire, to come: venio, and facio. 
VENISON, s. The flesh of deer. F. venaison : L. venor, to hunt. 
VENOM, s. Poison. L. venenum. See VENENATE. 
VENT. s. An aperture through which any thing comes out; emission; 

passage, &c. L. ventum, sup. of venio, to come. 
VENT. s. Sale. F. vente : L. venditio ,• venditus, part, of vendo, to 

sell. 
VENTIDUCT, s. A passage for the wind. L. ventus, wind, and ductus, 

a guidance: from the p. part, of duco, to lead. 
VENTILATE, v. To cool or purify, by the admission of wind. L. veil- 

tilo ; from ventus, wind. 
VENTRAL, adj. Relating or belonging to the belly. L. venter, the 

belly. 
VENTRICLE, s. The stomach ; any small cavity in an animal body, 

particularly of the heart. L. ventriculus, dim. of venter, the belly. 
VENTRILOQUIST, s. One who pretends that he speaks from his 

belly, but who has acquired the art of articulating his words without 

using the proper organs of speech ; and can so modify his tones, as 

to induce a belief that the sound issues from any place to which he 

directs the attention of his auditors. L. venter, the belly, and hquor, 

to speak. 
VENTURE. 5. A hazard ; an undertaking of chance and danger ; the 

thing put to hazard, &c. F. avanture : L. venturus, (future part, of 

venio,) about to come. 
VERACITY, s. Moral truth ; honesty of report. L. veracis, gen. of 

verax, true of speech. 
VERB. s. A part of speech, defined as signifying "to be, to do, or to 

suffer." L. verbum, a word: thus, making the verb pre-eminent, a9 

being the radical, from which is formed the greater portion of the 

other parts of speech. 
VERBAL, adj. Spoken ; not written ; oral ; consisting of mere words; 

referring to mere words, not to the matter or general style ; literal ; 

having word corresponding to word ; derived from a verb. L. ver- 

balis ; verbum, a word. See VERB. 
VERBATIM. Word for word. L. from verbum, a word. 
VERBATIM ET LITERATIM. Word for word, and letter foi 

letter; without the smallest variation. L. adverbs, verbatim, word 



VER— VET? 

for word, and literatim, letter for letter: verbum, a word, and titera, 

a letter. 
VERBERATE. v. To beat ; to strike. L. verbero ; from verber, a 

whip. 
VERBOSE, adj. Exuberant in words ; tedious, by a multiplicity of 

words. L. verbosus ,- verbum, a word. 
VERDANT, adj. Green. F. verdoyanl (formerly, verdoiant ,•) L. viri- 

dans ; vireo, to flourish, or to be green: vires, pi. of vis, strength. 
VERDERER. s. An officer of a forest. F. verdier .• L. viridarium, a 

green place, enclosed for beasts and fowls: from viridis, green. 
VERDITER. s. Chalk made green. F. verd, green, and terre, earth. 
VERDICT, s. The determination of a jury, declared to the judge; de- 
cision ; judgment. Law r L. veredictum ,• L. verum, neuter of verus 9 

true, and dictum, a saying. 
VERDURE, s. Green ; green colour. F. verdure. See VERDANT. 
VERGE, s. A rod, or something resembling it, carried as an emblem 

of authority ; the mace of a dean. F. verge : L. virga, a rod. 
VERGE, s. The brink ; the edge ; the utmost border. L. vergo, to 

decline, or bend towards. 
VERGER, s. Re that carries the verge or mace before a dean. See 

VERGE. 
VERIFY, v. To confirm ; to prove true. F. verifier .- L. verus, real, 

or true, and facio, to make. 
VERILY, adv. Truly ; certainly ; with great confidence. See VERY. 
VERISIMILITUDE, s. Probability ; resemblance of truth. L. verisi- 
militude; comp. of veri, gen. of verum, truth, and similitudo, a 

likeness. 
VERITABLE, adj. True ; in accordance with fact. F. veritable. See 

VERITY. 
VERITY, s. Truth. L. veritas ; verus, real. 
VERMICULAR, adj. Acting like a worm; continued from one part 

to another. L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis, a worm. 
VERMICULE. s. A little worm. L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis, a 

worm. 
VERMIFORM, adj. Having the shape of a worm. L. vermis, a worm, 

and forma, shape. 
VERMIFUGE, s. A medicine for expelling or destroying worms. L. 

vermis, a worm, and f ugo, to drive away. 
VERMIN, s. Noxious animals ; a term used commonly in relation to 

small creatures of a disagreeable or destructive nature. F. vermin .• 

L. vermis, a worm, grub, &.c. 
VERNACULAR, adj. Native ; of one's own countiy. L. vernaculus } 

from verna, a bond-servant, or one born in the house. 
VERNAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the spring of the year. L. 

vernus ; ver, the spring. 
VERSATILE, adj. Changeable ; variable ; easily applied to a new 

task. L. versatilis ; verso, to turn often: verto, to turn. 
VERSE, s. Language restrained to harmonic sounds, or a regular 

number of syllables ; a line of verse ; a portion of Scripture, con- 
tained in one numerical division. This species of composition is 

generally called poetry; though, a poem is not always written in 

verse, nor is verse always poetry, — which denotes an exertion of 



VER— VIA 

genius, and a captivating display of originality. L. versus ; from 

verto, to turn. See PROSE. 
VERSED, adj. Skilled (in;) acquainted (with.) L. verso, to turn often, 

or consider: verto, to turn. 
VERSIFY, v. To make verses. F. versifier : L. vers'fico ,- comp. of 

versus, a verse, and facto, to make. 
VERSION. 5. Translation. L. versw,- versus, p. part, of verto, to 

turn. 
VERSUS, prep. Against. L. 
VERTEBRAL, adj. Relating to the joints of the spine. L. vertebra, a 

turning joint in the body; verto, to turn. 
VERTEX', s. The zenith, the point over head ; the top. L. vertex, 

the top of any thing: verto, to turn. 
VERTICAL, adj. Placed in the zenith ; placed in a direction perpen- 
dicular to the horizon. L. verticis, gen. of vertex. See VERTEX. 
VERTIGINOUS, adj. Turning round; "rotary; giddy. L. vertiginosus ; 

vertiginis, gen. of vertigo, turning round: from verto, to turn. 
VERTIGO, s. A giddiness, or sense of turning, in the head. L. from 

verto, to turn. 
VERY. adj. True ; real ; same or precise: adv. emphatically ; in a 

high degree. Old F. veray, (modern, vrai,) true: L. vents, real. 
VESICATE, v. To blister. L. vesica, a -bladder, or (figuratively,) 

a blister. 
VESICLE, s. A small cuticle, filled or inflated. L. vesicula, dim. of 

vesica, a bladder. 
VESICULAR, adj. In anatomy, hollow - y full of small interstices. See 

VESICLE. 
VESPERS. *. Evening service of the Roman church. L. vesper, the 

evening. 
VEST. v. To dress ; to deck ; to enrobe ; to make possessor of; to 

invest with ; to place under the authority of. L. vestio ,• from vestis, 

a garment. 
VESTAL, adj. Consecrated to Vesta; having virgin purity, h.vestalis, 

See the heathen mythology. 
VESTIGE, s. Mark left behind in passing ; trace. L. vestigium, a 

trace. 
VESTMENT, s. Garment; part of dress, L. vestimentum ,• vestis, a 

garment. 
VESTRY, s. A room, belonging to a church, in which the sacerdotal 

garments, &c. are deposited; a parochial assembly, usually convened 

in the vestry-room ; an assembly of the elders and pew-holders of 

any church; L. vestiarium, a wardrobe: vestis, a garment. 
VESTURE, s. Garment; robe; dress, Old F. vesture: L. vestis, a 

garment 
VETERAN, adj. Long practised in war $ long experienced. L. vete- 

ranus ; veteris, gen. of vetus, old. 
VETO. s. Refusal ; rejection ; invested power or privilege of rejecting 

or annulling. L. veto, I forbid. 
VEX. v. To disturb ; to plague ; to lament ; to fret. L. vexo, to toss 

up and down ; freq. from vexus, p. part, ofveho, to carry, 
VIA. By the way of. L abl, of via, a way, 



VIA— VIL 

VIANDS, s. Food ; meat dressed. F. viande, food. L. vivendo, ge- 
rund, of vivo, to live. 

VIATICUM, s. Provision for a journey; in the Roman church, the last 
rites used to prepare the passing soul for its departure ; pecuniary- 
compensation to a witness, for having come to a court of justice. L. 
from via, a way, and itus, a going: eo, to go. 

VIBRATE, v. To move backward and forward, or upward and down- 
ward, with a quick motion ; to quiver. L. vibro, to shake. 

VICAR, s. A substitute ; a clergyman of the episcopal church, in de- 
gree below a rector. L. vicarius ; vicis, stead, place. 

VICARIOUS., adj. Deputed ; delegated ; acting in the place of an- 
other. L. vicarius. See VICAR. 

VICE'. In the place of. L. abl. of vicis, stead, place. 

VICEADMIRAL. s. The second commander of a fleet ; an admiral of 
the second rank. L. vice, in the place, (instead, ) and admiral. 

VICEGERENT, s. Alieutentant; one who possesses delegated power. 
L. vice, in the place, (instead,) and gerens, part, of gero, to bear. 

VICEROY, s. One who governs in place of a king, with regal autho» 
rity. L. vice, in the place, (instead,) and F. roi, a king. 

VICINAGE, s. A neighbourhood ; places adjoining. L. vicinia j from 
vicus, a village. 

VICINITY, s. Nearness ; state of being near ; neighbourhood. L. 
vicinitas. See VICINAGE. 

VICISSITUDE, s. Change ; revolution. L. vicissitudo ,- comp. of 
vicis, change, stead, and ito, to go frequently: itum, sup. of eo, 
to go. 

VICTIM, s. A sacrifice ; something slain for a sacrifice ; something 
destroyed. L. victima, a beast killed in sacrifice, for victory: victus, 
p. part, of vinco, to overcome. 

VICTOR, s. Conqueror. L. from vinco, to conquer. 

VICTUALS, s. Food. F. victuailles : L. victus, p. part, of vivo, to 
live. 

VIDE', v. See. L. imper. of video, to see. 

VIDELICET, or its contraction, VIZ. That is ; to wit ; namely ; 
comp. ofvidere, infinitive of video, to see, and licet, it is lawful — you 
may if you will, &c. 

VI JET J1RMIS. By force and arms ; by a force not sanctioned by 
law. L. abl. of vis, and arma. 

VIGIL, s. Watch ; devotion performed in the customary hours of rest; 
a fast observed before a holiday, &c. L. vigil, a watchman. 

VIGILANT, adj. Watchful; circumspect. Tu.vigilans, part, ofvigih; 
vigil, a watchman. 

VIGOROUS, adj. Strong; lively; energetic ; full of strength and life. 
See VIGOUR. 

VIGOUR, s. Strength ; health ; energy. L. vigor ,- from vigeo, to 
flourish ; vi, (abl. of vis,) with strength, and agendo, abl. gerund of 
ago, to do, or move, 

VILE. adj. Worthless ; mean ; sordid ; base ; wicked. L. vilis, of 
no value. 

VILIFY, v. To debase ; to degrade ; to defame, L. vilis, of no value, 
m&faeio, to make.* 



VIL— VIS 

VILLAGE, s. A small collection of houses in the country, less than a 
town. F. village : L. villa, a country-house. 

VILLAIN, s. This word, according- to the present popular meaning", 
has almost entirely changed its signification. It formerly denoted 
one who held lands on very dependent conditions, under the feudal 
system ; one who was bound to do any sort of service for his supe- 
rior lord. It now signifies a base, wicked rogue. F. vilain ; vil, 
mean, contemptible: L. vilis; or else, from villa, a village. Consult 
Blackstone's Commentaries. 

YILLANAGE. s. The state of that species of tenants formerly called 
villains ; or the nature of their tenure. See VILLAIN. 

VILLOUS, adj. Shaggy 5 rough; furry. L. villosus ,- villus, wool, or 
hair. 

YIM1NEOUS. adj. Made of twigs. L. vimineus ; vimen, a twig-. 

VINCIBLE, adj. Conquerable 5 superable. L.- vincibilis ,■ vinco, to 
conquer. 

VINDICATE, v. To revenge ; to avenge ; to justify; to support, or 
maintain; to assert ; to claim with efficacy. L. vindico ; vi, (abl. 
of vis,) with strength, and indico, to declare: in and dico. 

VINDICTIVE, adj. Revengeful. L. vindicta, vengeance. See VIN- 
DICATE. 

VINEGAR, s. Wine grown sour ; a vegetable acid, called acetous. F. 
vinaigre; vin, wine, and aigre, sour: L. vinum, and acer. 

VINOUS, adj. Having the qualities of wine ; relating to a species of 
fermentation. L. vinosus .• vinum, wine. 

VINTAGE, s. Season of gathering the grapes, and making them into 
wine. F. vin: L. vinum, wine. 

VINTNER, s. One who sells wine. F. vin : L. vinum, wine. 

VIOLATE, v. To infringe ; to hurt ; to injure, by irreverence or sacri- 
lege ; to deflower. L. violo, to force : vi, abl. of vis, force. 

VIOLENT, adj. Acting with great force ; produced or continued by 
force; unseasonably vehement ; outrageous. L. violentus : violo, to 
force, vi, abl. oivis, force. 

VIPER, s. A serpent of that species which brings forth its young alive, 
L. vivus, alive, and pario, to bring forth. 

VIRAGO, s. A blustering woman ; a woman with the qualities of a 
man. L. vir, a man, and ago, to act. 

VIRGO, s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. virgo, a virgin. 

VIRILITY, s. Manhood ; power of procreation. L. virilitas ,• vir, a 
man. 

VIRTUAL, adj. Having the efficacy, without the material part ; hav- 
ing the power, without the regular authority, of acting. F. virtuel: 
L. virtus, force, faculty. 

VIRULENT, adj. Poisonous ; venomous ; bitter ; malignant. L. vim- 
lentus. See VIRUS. 

VIRUS, s. Infectious principle ; poison. L. 

VISAGE, s. Countenance ; face. F. visage : L. visus ; visus, (p. part. 
of video,) seen. 

VIS-A-VIS. s. A species of carriage, in which the passengers sit oppo- 
site to each other. F. vis a vis, over against: visage, a face, a? 
against, visage, a face. 
ISCERA. s, The entrails. L. pi. ofviscus, a bowel, or entraiL 



vis— VIV 

VISCERATE, v. To disembowel. See VISCERA. 

VISCID, or VISCOUS, adj. Glutinous; sticky,- tenacious. L. visa- 
dus ,• viscus, properly a species of shrub, which yields a glutinous 
substance, called birdlime. 

VISCOUNT, s. The term viscount, was formerly the French name for 
sheriff, in England, as vicecomes, is now the Latin: vice, in the place 
of, ai . 3 comes, a count. The title of viscount, was first conferred by 
Henry VI. without any office pertaining to it; and now signifies one 
of the order of aobillty next below an earl. See COUNT. 

VISIBLE, adj. Perceptible by the eve ; apparent 5 open ; conspicu- 
ous L. vlsibilis. See VISION. 

VIS INERTiJE. In physics or mechanics, this is applied to the 
po ,ver of a stationary body, resisting that which would set it in mo- 
tion. Tn morals, it is a figurative application, and another name for 
sluggishness, or indolence. L. vis, the power, inertise, (gen. of 
inertia,) of lying still. 

VISION, s. Sight ; the faculty of seeing ; a supernatural appearance ; 
something shown in a dream ; a rhetorical figure, by which past 
events are represented as present. F. vision: L. visio,- visus, p. 
part, of video, to see. 

VISIONARY, adj. Affected by phantoms ; disposed to receive im- 
pressions on the imagination ; imaginary. F. visionaire. See VI- 
SION. 

VISIT, v. To go to see; to be in the habit of mutual salutations at the 
houses of each other; (in scriptural language,) to send good or evil 
judicially. L. visito, to gx> often to see: visum, sup. of video, to see. 

VISITATION, s. ForrnaC or tedious visit ; judicial good or evil sent 
by God. L. visito. See VISIT. 

VISOR, s. A mask for disguising the face. See VISAGE. 

VISTA, s. View through an open space, as between trees, See. Ita- 
lian : from the L. visus, p. part, of video, to see. 

VISUAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the sight. F. visuel; L. visus, 
sight: from video, to see. 

VITAL, adj. Contributing to life ; necessary to life ; relating to life, 
essential, &c. L. vitalis ; vita, life. 

VITALS, s. Parts essential to life. See VITAL. 

VITIATE, v. To corrupt ; to make less pure. L. vitio ; vitiunty 
faultiness, or deformity. 

VITIOUS, or VICIOUS, adj. Corrupt ; wicked ; prone to vice. L. 
vitiosus ; from vitium, faultiness, deformity. 

VITREOUS, adj. Consisting of glass; resembling glass. L. vitreus ,• 
vitrum, glass. 

VITRIFY, v. To become glass ; to change into glass. F. vitrifier : L. 
vitrum, glass, and facio, to make. 

VITRIOL, s. This term, which refers to a glassy appearance, is no 
longer used by chemists, but is superseded by that of sulphate: thus, 
Roman or blue vitriol is called sulphate of copper; and green vitriol, 
or copperas, sulphate of iron. F. vitriol: L. vitrum, glass. 

VITUPERATE, v. To blame, or censure. L. vitupero, to blame. 

VIVACIOUS, adj. Long-lived; lively; gay. L. vivack, gen. ofvivax;- 
from vivo, to live. 



VIV— VOL 

VIVACITY. s. Liveliness ; gayety ; sprightliness. F. vivacity .- L. woo- 
ds, gen ofvivax, lively: vivo, to live. 
VIVA VOCE. By oral declaration or testimony, as opposed to writ- 
ten. L. viva, by a living-, voce, voice : abl. of vivus, and vox. 
VIVID, adj. Lively ; striking ; sprightly ; active. L. vividus ,■ vivo, 
to live. 

VIVIFY, v. To endue with life. F. vivifier ? L. vivijico ,• vivus, alive, 
and facio, to make. 

VIVIPAROUS, adj. Bringing forth the young alive : opposed to ovi- 
parous. L. vivus, alive, axidpario, to bring forth. 

VIZ. See VIDELICET. 

VIZOR. See VISOR. 

VOCABULARY, s. A sort of dictionary ; a glossary, or explanation of 
obscure terms ; a stock of words. L. vocabularium ,- vocabulum, a 
name: vow, to call, 

VOCAL, adj. Uttered by the voice; intended for the voice. L. vocalis; 
vocis, gen. of vox, the voice. 

VOCATION. 5. A calling; the employment to which anyone is called 
by the will of God. L. vocatio ; vocatus, p. part, of voco, to call. 

VOCATrYE. adj. Relating to the grammatical case used in calling or 
speaking to. L. vocativus ; from voco, to call. 

VOICE, s. Sound emitted by the mouth ; vote; suffrage. F.voix.- 
L. vox ,• from vocatus, p. part, of voco, to call. 

VOID. adj. Empty ; vacant ; vacated ; null ; ineffectual. F. vuide 9 
L. vidwis, bereft, deprived. 

VOIR DIRE. A preliminary oath, administered to a witness, (veri- 
tatem dicere ,- ) to make true answers to such questions as the court 
shall demand of him, to ascertain his competency, age, &c, previous 
to his being sworn in chief, to testify as to the merits of the ques- 
tion. Voire seems to be a Norman corruption of the L. verus, true ; 
dire, is from the L. dicere, to say. 

VOLANT, adj. Flying ; passing through the air ; nimble. F. volant? 
L. volans, part, of volo, (volar e,) to fly. 

VOLATILE, adj. Having the power to pass off by spontaneous evap- 
oration ; overhvely ; fickle; of changeable mind. L. volatilis; 
volo, (volare,) to fly. 

VOLCANO, s. A burning mountain. Italian, from the heathen deity, 
Vulcan, who is poetically related to have had' his forge in Mount 
JEtna, where his workmen, the Cyclops, made thunderbolts. 

VOLITION, s. Will ; the act of willing ; the power of willing exerted. 
L. volitio ; volo, (velle,) to will, or be willing. 

VOLLEY, s. A flight of shot ; a discharge of many guns at once ; an 
emission of many at once. F. volee : L. volo, (volare,) to fly. 

VOLTIGEUR. s. One of a kind of troops, intended for rapid move- 
ments. F. from the L. volito, (freq. of volo,) to fly about. 

VOLUBILITY, s. Act or power of rolling ; activity or fluency (ap- 
plied to the tongue, or speech.) L. voluhilitas. See VOLUBLE. 

VOLUBLE, adj. Formed so as to roll easily, or be easily put in mo- 
tion ; rolling ; moving quickly ; active or fluent, ^applied to the 
tongue, or speech.) L. volubilis; volutus, p. part. oivolvo s to roll, 
Y 



VOL— VUL 

VOLUME, s. Something rolled, or convolved ; a book ; so called, be- 
cause books were anciently rolled on a staff"; circumference. L. 
volumen ,- volvo, to roll. 

VOLUMINOUS, adj. Consisting of many volumes ; extensive ; copi- 
ous. See VOLUME. 

VOLUNTARY, adj. Acting by one's own will, not by compulsion, or 
entreaty; willing; spontaneous. L. voluntarius ; volo, (velle,) to be 
willing. 

VOLUNTEER, s. One who enters upon any service of his own accord. 
F. vohntaire. See VOLUNTARY. 

VOLUPTUOUS, adj. Freely indulging one's desires ; given to excess 
of pleasure ; luxurious. L. voluptuosus ,- voluptas, pleasure : volo, 
to wish. 

VOLUTE, s. That part of the capital of a column which is supposed 
to represent the bark of trees twisted into spiral lines, or, according 
to others, the long twisted hail* of a female. F.' volute: L. volutus, 
p. part, of volvo, to roll. 

VOMIT, v. To throw up from the stomach ; to emit, as a volcano. L. 
vomito, frequentative ofvomo, to spew, or cast up. 

VORACIOUS, adj. Greedy to eat; ravenous; rapacious. L. vorax, 
(gen. voracis .•) from voro, to devour. 

VORTEX, s. A whirlwind, or whirlpool ; pi. vortexes. In the Carte- 
sian philosophy, a system or collection of particles of matter, moving 
the same way, and round the same axis ; pi. vortices. L. vortex ,• 
from verto, to turn. 

VOTARY, s. One devoted, as by a vow, to any particular service, 
worship, study, or state of life. See VOTE. 

VOTE. s. Suffrage ; wish expressed in favour of any person or thing. 
L. votum ; votus, p. part, of voveo, to vow, or wish for. 

VOTIVE, adj. Given by vow. L. votivus. See VOTE. 

VOUCH, v. To vouch, in law, signifies to call upon a person to defend 
a title to lands, which he is supposed to have wan-anted: it also sig- 
nifies to bear witness, to warrant, &c. L. voco, to call. 

VOW. v, To consecrate, by a solemn dedication; to promise with so- 
lemnity. F. vouer .- L. voveo, to pray, or wish for. 

VOWEL. 5. A letter which can be fully sounded by itself. F. voyelle : 

L. vocalis ; from vocis, gen. of vox, a voice, or sound. 
VOX POPULL The voice of the people. L. 

VOYAGE, s. A journey of discovery ; but, in general, a long passage 
by sea: it is also used to express the ascension and passage of an 
jeronaut. F. from voir, to see. 
VULGAR, adj. Plebeian ; suiting or practised amongst the common 
people; (in relation to a language,) national: — also, mean; un- 
fashionable. L. vulgaris ; vulgus, the common people. 
VULNERABLE, adj. Susceptible of wounds ; liable to external inju- 
ries ; not impregnable. L. vulnerabilis ; vulnera, pi. of vulnus, a 
wound. 
VULNERARY, adj. Relating or belonging to wounds. L,.vuhierarius; 

vulneris, gen. of vulnus, a wound. 
VULPINE, adj. Belonging to a fox. L. vulpinus; vulpes } a fox. 



WAR— ZOO 



w. 



WARD. v. To guard; to protect; to fence off. s. guard; act of guard- 
ing ; district in a town ; custody ; that part of a lock, which, cor- 
responding- to the proper key, hinders, or guards it from being 
opened by another ; one in the hands of a guardian, &c. F. garder, 
to guard. 

WARRANT, v. To support or maintain ; to attest ; to authorize ; to 
justify ; to secure. F. garantir, to indemnify, or defend. See 
GUARANTEE. 

WARRANT, s. A writ conferring some right or authority ; a secure, 
inviolable grant; a justificatory commission; evidence. See the 
verb. 

WARREN, s. A kind of park for rabbits. F. garenne. See WARD. 

WASTE, v. To destroy ; to diminish ; to consume, &c. L. vasto, to 
destroy, or ravage. 

WIDOW, s. A woman whose husband is dead. L. vidua; from viduus, 
bereft. 

Z. 

ZEAL. s. Passionate ardour. L. zelus .• G. zehs ,- from zeo, to be hot. 

ZEALOT, s. One passionately ardent in any cause: — generally used in 
dispraise. G. zelotes. See ZEAL. 

ZEALOUS, adj. Passionately ardent in any cause. See ZEAL. 

ZEPHYR, s. The west wind ; any calm, pleasing wind. L. zephyrus : 
G. zephuros ,- zoe, life, and phero, to bring. 

ZERO. s. A term used to signify 0. In thermometers, the or zero 
of Reaumur indicates the freezing point ; but in the instruments 
made according to Fahrenheit, the zero is 32 degrees below it. 
This word is not in any English dictionary ; but, in the French, is 
explained as a cypher or nought. G. xeros, {vacuus,) void, vacant. 

ZEUGMA, s. A figure in grammar, by which a verb, agreeing with 
several nouns, or an adjective with several substantives, is referred 
to one expressly, and understood before the rest: as, "lust over- 
came shame, — boldness, fear, — and madness, reason." G. zeugma, 
a joining. 

ZODIAC, s. The track of the sun through the twelve signs, (the ram, 
bull, &c. ;) a great circle of the sphere, representing the twelve 
signs. L. zodlacus : G. zodiakos ,- zodioa, (pi. of zodion,) living 
creatures: zoo, to live. 

ZONE. 8. A girdle ; a division of the earth, marked by an imaginaiy 
girdle or circle. G. zone ,- zonnuo, to gird. 

ZO'OGONIA. s. The production of living creatures : pronounced 
zo-ogonia. G. zoos, living, and gone, an offspring. 

ZO'OGRAPHY. s. A written description of animals : pronounced 
zo-ography. G. zoos, living, and grapho, to write. 

ZO'OLOGY. s. That part of natural history which relates to animals: 
pronounced zo-ology. G. zoos, living, and logos, a word, or descrip- 
tion. 



zoo— zoo 

ZO'OPHYTE. s. A natural production, which partakes of the nature 
of both a vegetable and animal: pronounced zo-ophyte. G. zoos, 
living 1 , and phuton, a plant. 

ZO'OTOMY.s. Dissection of the bodies of animals: pronounced z» 
rtlomy. G. zoos, living-, and temno, to cut. 



THE END. 



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